The suspension of Wi-Fi services would be determined based on conditions, with restrictions only being imposed in areas where security concerns exist, according to a interior ministry spokesperson.
“Mobile data and WiFi service will be suspended only in areas of security concerns,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country.”
Such measures come at a time when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepares for a protest march towards Islamabad on Sunday.
Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has asked his supporters to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for democracy and judiciary. But Defence Minister Khawaja Asif believes the protest is akin to “insurrection” as the former ruling party allegedly wants to usurp the federal capital.
The PTI founder has set four demands for ending protests while his wife has stated that the date would only change if Khan is out of jail.
Earlier in the day, sources said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to shut down internet service ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest march in Islamabad on Sunday (tomorrow).
The interior ministry has sent a letter to the PTA regarding the suspension of mobile phone and internet services.
Mobile phone services would remain operational, but internet and Wi-Fi services would be disabled, they said and added the decision to restrict mobile signals would be made based on the situation.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan clarified that a “final call” meant a final call and only Khan could review the decision.
“Khan sahib is Khan sahib. He is the boss. He doesn’t recommend it. He orders we follow,” he said while appearing on Geo News show ‘Naya Pakistan’.
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When asked, the PTI chairman stated that Khan had given the call for the protest and thus it was his decision to review it. “We have no right to review any order of Khan sahib.”
Gohar said the PTI’s political committee discussed everything as per Khan’s instructions and it was not its option to review something that the PTI founder ordered and give a contrary direction.
The PTI chairman went on to add that he and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi only made contact once and no commitment was made of when the PTI chairman would inform the interior minister about his final response.
