Cellular Internet Suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Amid TLP March

As Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) progresses its rally toward the nation’s capital, officials have put a stop to cellular internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday.

According to a notification issued by the interior ministry on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control has given its approval to suspend 3G/4G services in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, effective from 12 am until further notice.

The ministry has urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to undertake all essential actions in collaboration with the Islamabad commissioner, the IGP office, Rawalpindi’s commissioner, and the RPO office.

The announcement was made as the federal government ramped up measures intended to prevent the TLP from advancing into the capital city.

In a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated that the government is working to use peaceful tactics to stop TLP’s planned march on Islamabad, affirming that the state will not be subject to mob rule.

Chaudhry questioned the reasoning behind the march, pointing out that Palestinians are celebrating the recent Gaza peace agreement.

He stated that the Palestinians, who are the main party to the issue, are celebrating the recent peace agreement.

The minister questioned the purpose of the demonstration when the issues of Palestine and Gaza had been resolved.

Chaudhry insisted that the federal government had taken preventative actions and would not put up with blackmail or demand-driven politics.

The minister said that TLP has previously been involved in attacks on public property, accusing them of using delicate subjects for political advantage.

He added that the government will not allow these demonstrations and mobs to move forward.

Meanwhile, in light of the TLP’s projected march on the federal capital, authorities have positioned containers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Chaudhry stated in his presser that containers had been positioned in Islamabad to shield citizens from troublemakers.

Authorities in Punjab have implemented Section 144 of the CrPC throughout the province, prohibiting the display of weapons and outlawing public assembly.

According to a notification from the Punjab Home Department, gatherings, processions, and sit-ins are forbidden under Section 144 in order to preserve law and order throughout the province.