Internet shutdown reported amid opposition protests

Mobile phone and internet services remained suspended for nearly 50 hours between 04-07 October in Islamabad/Rawalpindi amid opposition party PTI’s protest rallies. There were unconfirmed reports of partial disruptions of internet and social media apps in Lahore and Karachi.

Hundreds of PTI workers gathered in Islamabad over the weekend demanding release of their incarcerated leader Imran Khan. However, the government blocked entry points of Islamabad ahead of the protests to prevent them from entering the city. Clashes were also reported between PTI workers and law enforcement authorities resulting in injuries to 80 police officers and arrests of PTI workers. There were also speculations of PTI leader and KP Chief Minister’s Ali Amin Gandapur’s detention after he arrived in Islamabad with a convoy of 800 PTI activists from Peshawar to join the protest. Later, he mysteriously resurfaced in Peshawar after 31 hours denying any kidnapping or arrest by local authorities.