ISLAMABAD: The federal government is reportedly planning to suspend internet services in various parts of the country ahead of an anticipated protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to sources.
The move is being considered as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order during the protest, which is expected to draw large crowds. Authorities are concerned about potential disruptions and the misuse of social media platforms to incite violence or spread misinformation.
Sources reveal that internet services may be temporarily shut down in major urban centers and areas where the protests are expected to be most intense. This includes Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar, among other cities.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reportedly been directed to finalize arrangements for the suspension, though an official announcement is yet to be made.
PTI leaders have criticized the government’s decision, terming it an attempt to suppress democratic rights and limit the party’s reach to its supporters. “The government is afraid of the people’s power. Shutting down the internet will not silence us,” a senior PTI leader stated.
The protest comes in response to growing public grievances, with PTI rallying against what they claim are government-led attempts to curtail freedoms and neglect economic issues.
This is not the first time the government has resorted to such measures; similar internet blackouts have occurred during political or security-related unrest in the past.
