ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that internet services will remain suspended across the country for an indefinite period. This decision was made on the directives of the Ministry of Interior, according to the telecommunications regulatory body.
The suspension of mobile broadband services was initiated in response to protests that erupted following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The disruption has also affected major social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, with many users unable to access these sites since the previous day.
Videos of violent protests have circulated widely on social media after unrest escalated following the arrest of the former prime minister. The suspension of mobile broadband services was deemed necessary in light of the situation.
Pakistan ranks among countries with poorest internet access
Pakistan already ranks among the countries with the poorest internet access, and this recent outage has further exacerbated the situation.
Sameen Daud Khan, a researcher involved in Pakistan’s Internet Landscape 2022 report, expressed disappointment, stating that such measures deprive the people of their fundamental right to access information, which is guaranteed by law.
Imran Khan was apprehended by Rangers personnel at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on a warrant issued by the National Accountability Bureau in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Following his arrest, the PTI called on supporters across Pakistan to stage protests and block roads while closing shops.
Consequently, PTI workers staged demonstrations in several cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Mardan. The situation remains tense as the suspension of internet services and the ongoing protests continue to impact the country.
