Mobile Internet Suspended In Pakistan’s Islamabad, Rawalpindi Day After Afghanistan Air Raids

Pakistani authorities clamped down on mobile internet services in the capital day after its air forces struck Afghanistan in a bid to eliminate militants inimical to Pakistan. The directive also comes before Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) a hardline Islamist political party threatened to take out a march in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and Lahore.

According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, dated October 9, the suspension will remain in place “until further orders.” The directive, marked “Secret” and “Most Immediate,” was addressed to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), instructing it to coordinate with law enforcement officials to enforce the order.

The decision was approved

by the Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, though the government has not specified the reason for the shutdown.

It remains unclear if the measures were taken due to the cross-border operations taken by Pakistani Air Forces (PAF) or due to the planned march by the TLP for which the Pakistani government has not given a permission.