As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its much-anticipated ‘do or die’ protest in Islamabad, communication services have been disrupted across the country.
Major cities including Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi reported disruptions to mobile internet and other services, leaving citizens and businesses inconvenienced. These disruptions are part of wider security measures taken by the government to manage the protest.
Mobile data services were suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while Peshawar experienced partial disruptions in internet services, although mobile phone networks remained operational.
Karachi has experienced mobile internet disruptions since last night, causing significant inconvenience to its residents.
In southern Punjab, towns like Bahawalpur, Kamalia and Toba Tek Singh are facing suspensions of internet and cellular services. Dera Ismail Khan, Gujranwala, Rajanpur and Hafizabad were also affected, with internet services disrupted in many areas.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry clarified that the suspensions of internet and cellular services are limited to areas deemed high risk for security reasons. Officials assured the public that connectivity in other parts of the country was not affected.
These measures, according to the government, are necessary to ensure public safety as tensions escalate in the run-up to the planned PTI protest.
The disruption is part of a broader security strategy to counter the PTI protest. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued strict orders to prevent protesters from entering Islamabad, leading to the deployment of thousands of security personnel.
More than 8,000 additional police officers have been stationed in Islamabad, alongside Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) units.
Punjab mobilized 10,700 additional police officers and imposed Section 144, restricting gatherings across the province for three days, from November 23 to 25.
Islamabad’s entry and exit points have been sealed and extensive security measures have been put in place.
The PTI protest comes amid growing political tensions and follows the failure of recent negotiations between the party and the government.
The protest, announced by the incarcerated party founder, focuses on allegations of election fraud, the detention of party members and the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
The PTI leader, imprisoned since August, had earlier called on his supporters to march to Islamabad to demonstrate against these grievances.
The protests also coincide with the Belarusian president’s upcoming visit, scheduled for November 25-27, reinforcing the government’s concerns about maintaining public order.
Section 144 has already been imposed in Islamabad for two months as authorities seek to avoid clashes similar to those seen during previous PTI protests in the federal capital.