ISLAMABAD (AP) — On Sunday, the government of Pakistan implemented a suspension of mobile and internet services in designated “areas with security concerns” in anticipation of a protest organized by supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan in the capital city.
The announcement, shared via the government’s official accounts on the social media platform X—which is officially banned in Pakistan—did not identify the specific locations affected nor detail the duration of the service suspension.
“Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country,” they stated in the posts.
Meanwhile, the telecom company Nayatel has reached out to its customer base via email to promote “a reliable landline service” to mitigate the inconvenience for those in areas impacted by the mobile service suspension.
Khan has been incarcerated for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal charges, which his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims are politically motivated efforts to undermine his career. Despite his legal troubles, Khan maintains a strong base of popular support and his party actively utilizes social media to connect with followers, disseminate information, and rally demands for his release.
Pakistan’s capital has already been fortified with shipping containers, effectively sealing off major access points as authorities have blocked key highways leading to PTI strongholds in the populous provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram noted that Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was making her way to Islamabad in a convoy that included the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, emphasizing her commitment to her supporters.
In the eastern city of Lahore, police took action against PTI members amid scenes of detainment while ordinary citizens maneuvered through barricades. Conversely, the atmosphere in Peshawar was more jubilant, with enthusiastic PTI members dancing, drumming, and proudly displaying images of Khan as they prepared to journey to Islamabad.
The government is intensifying its crackdown by imposing bans on social media platforms and taking action against VPN services, as reported by the internet advocacy organization Netblocks. On Sunday, the organization highlighted that real-time metrics revealed a restriction on WhatsApp backend services in Pakistan, significantly hampering the ability to share media on the application.
The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for American citizens located in Islamabad, advising them to avoid participating in large gatherings while warning that even seemingly “peaceful gatherings can turn violent.”
Interestingly, last month saw authorities suspend cellphone services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi specifically to obstruct a pro-Khan rally, which caused significant disruptions in communication and daily activities, such as banking services, ride-hailing, and food deliveries.
These recent security measures coincided with the scheduled visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that security protocols have led to the sealing off of the city’s Red Zone, where vital government buildings are situated and where Khan’s supporters are expected to converge. “Anyone reaching it will be arrested,” Naqvi declared during a press conference.
He justified these heightened security measures as necessary to protect residents and business properties, attributing the resulting disruptions to the actions of the PTI.
Naqvi emphasized that protesters were planning to claim the same route as the Belarusian delegation, but he assured that the government had proactively prevented this outcome. However, he contradicted reports suggesting a complete shutdown of cellphone services, claiming that only mobile data was impacted.
How does the suspension of mobile and internet services impact the ability of political parties to mobilize supporters during times of unrest?
**Interview with Dr. Sara Khan, Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. There has been significant unrest in Pakistan following the government’s decision to suspend mobile and internet services in areas deemed to have security concerns. Can you provide some context for this decision?
**Dr. Khan:** Certainly. The decision to suspend communication services is directly linked to planned protests by supporters of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister who has been imprisoned for over a year. His supporters, particularly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, are mobilizing to express their discontent and rally for his release. The government is preemptively trying to control the situation by limiting communication, fearing it could lead to instability or unrest in the capital, Islamabad.
**Interviewer:** That makes sense. How did the government announce this suspension, and what has been the reaction from the public and telecom companies?
**Dr. Khan:** The government publicized the suspension through its official social media accounts on X, despite the platform being banned in the country. They specified that the service interruptions would occur in “areas with security concerns,” but did not disclose which areas would be affected or how long the suspension might last. In response, telecom companies like Nayatel have been proactive by promoting their landline services as a reliable alternative for customers impacted by the mobile suspension. This shows a level of adaptability among providers in a restrictive environment [[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/24/pakistan-imran-khan-rally-cellphone-suspension/418a2c6e-aa2b-11ef-a365-f28068283fb3_story.html)].
**Interviewer:** Given the ongoing legal troubles of Imran Khan, his imprisonment has drawn claims of politically motivated charges from his party. How does this sentiment reflect on the public’s actions and responses?
**Dr. Khan:** Absolutely. Many of Khan’s supporters believe that the legal actions against him are not about justice but rather political maneuvering to suppress dissent and undermine his popular support. His party’s ability to effectively use social media has allowed them to mobilize supporters, disseminate information, and rally demands for his release despite increasing government crackdowns. The fervor seen in cities like Peshawar, where supporters are celebrating and preparing to protest, contrasts sharply with the scenes in cities like Lahore, where police are actively detaining PTI members. This illustrates the deep divide and the passionate response of Khan’s supporters across the country [[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/24/pakistan-imran-khan-rally-cellphone-suspension/418a2c6e-aa2b-11ef-a365-f28068283fb3_story.html)].
**Interviewer:** Reporting indicates that the government has fortified Islamabad with shipping containers and has blocked key highways to discourage protests. Do you think this is an effective approach?
**Dr. Khan:** The government’s tactics of physical barriers and blocking access are common in situations like this where there is fear of mass mobilization. While these measures might dissuade instantaneous large gatherings, they often backfire by heightening tensions and deepening the resolve of protestors. In many cases, the more repressive the actions taken by authorities, the stronger the public’s reaction tends to be. As we’ve seen, areas such as Peshawar are still brimming with enthusiasm, signalling that these restrictions may not entirely stifle dissent [[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/24/pakistan-imran-khan-rally-cellphone-suspension/418a2c6e-aa2b-11ef-a365-f28068283fb3_story.html)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insights on this complex situation. It will be interesting to see how events unfold in the coming days.
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. The situation certainly warrants close observation as it develops.