Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has clarified the situation regarding a possible suspension or slowdown of mobile and internet services in Rawalpindi and Attock ahead of the political activity expected on September 27. She said no final decision has been taken so far.
Shaza Fatima said she had checked the situation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), but the authority had not yet received any formal direction from the Ministry of Interior. According to her, PTA acts on directions from the Interior Ministry when telecom services need to be restricted.
The Punjab government, however, has already requested the federal Interior Ministry to downgrade or jam mobile and internet services at selected locations in Rawalpindi and Attock from September 27 as part of security preparations.
Shaza Fatima said that if restrictions become necessary because of the law-and-order situation, the government would seek to keep them limited to specific areas. She also said there was no plan for a nationwide internet shutdown.
