IT Minister Denies Plans to Suspend Internet, Mobile Services

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has clarified that the government has made no decision to suspend internet or mobile phone services in Punjab and Islamabad amid looming political protests.
The official reassurance comes in the wake of widespread speculation and public concern triggered by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement of a planned long march toward the federal capital.
Addressing media queries regarding potential digital blackouts during political unrest, the minister emphasized that authorities have not issued any directives to disrupt telecommunication networks.
She reiterated that citizens’ right to uninterrupted communication remains a priority, seeking to quell panic that typically arises ahead of high-stakes political demonstrations in the twin cities and across Punjab.
In recent years, the suspension of mobile broadband and social media platforms has frequently been deployed as a security measure during major political rallies, severely impacting local businesses, digital transactions, and daily civilian life.
The latest clarification from the IT ministry signals a potential shift in handling public assemblies, though security planners continue to monitor the evolving political landscape closely.
As political tensions heighten ahead of the announced protest, businesses and civil society groups remain watchful of official security protocols.
Authorities are expected to hold further high-level security meetings to review law and order situations, balancing the state’s security imperatives with the constitutional rights of citizens and economic stability.