Internet services will be temporarily suspended in several major cities starting at midnight tonight, as part of heightened security measures ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24. According to sources, the affected cities include Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala.
While mobile phone services will remain operational for now, internet and broadband services will be disrupted. The decision to suspend these services is reportedly aimed at maintaining security in key areas as tensions rise ahead of the PTI-led protest.
Sources also indicated that a decision regarding the potential suspension of mobile phone services will be made after assessing the situation on the ground.
The Ministry of Interior has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to initiate the shutdown of internet services from midnight. A spokesperson for the ministry stated, “The internet shutdowns in areas with security concerns will be determined based on a review of the situation.”
However, the spokesperson clarified that mobile and internet services will continue to operate as usual in other parts of the country. “The internet and mobile phone services would continue to function normally in regions not directly impacted by security concerns,” the ministry added.
Authorities are closely monitoring developments and will evaluate the need for further restrictions as the situation unfolds.
