Internet Services Partially Restored in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Following PTI Protest Suspension
Internet services were partially restored in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on November 27, after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended its protest in the federal capital. The services had been suspended for two days on the Interior Ministry’s orders in response to the demonstrations. Users have reported glitches in social media applications as services resume.
From November 23 to 27, citizens in various parts of Pakistan experienced disruptions in internet access and social media platforms. The government had announced possible closures in specific “high-risk areas” ahead of PTI protests. However, the widespread and unexplained service disruptions extended beyond the capital, affecting cities such as Karachi, Peshawar, and multiple locations in Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Dera Ismail Khan, and Gujranwala. These disruptions have raised concerns about citizens’ right to access information.
Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram faced restricted access, including the inability to share media. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is conducting trials to block unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) before a registration deadline on November 30. This move has further impacted connectivity and access to information.
The ease with which citizens’ access to information has been disrupted and a lack of clarity on service restoration timelines has raised concerns among rights organizations. Pakistan Press Foundation urged the government to consult stakeholders before implementing measures affecting digital connectivity and information access.
Photo: View of site during clash between security officials and protesters during protest of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. (Zubair Abbasi/PPI Images).
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