Panic as internet shutdown rumors swirl

ISLAMABAD:

Cell telephone and mobile data services may be suspended in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab—including Lahore and Rawalpindi—today in view of the PTI's protest. However, the services were still operational in the federal capital till the time of the filing of the report.

The Ministry of Interior on Saturday said the decision to suspend mobile services and WiFi will be based on the feedback from district administrations.

The authorities have successfully started to contain the usage of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) through mobile data. All WhatsApp services have been rendered non-functioning at mobile sets where VPNs are operating using mobile data.

However, none of the four telecommunication companies in the country—Jazz, Ufone, Zong and Telenor—have been intimated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding any shutdown plan ahead of the PTI's showdown.

"The situation could be similar to that of the general election day in February this year," said a senior executive of one of the telecom companies. "It's all digital now and systems can be stopped anytime."

He said district administration of any region— Gujranwala, Multan, Faisalabad etc—may also send a request to the interior ministry and the same may be forwarded to the PTA, which issues directives to the telecom companies.

Another executive of a mobile company said there is a chance that complete suspension of internet and mobile services may not happen in the entirety of Islamabad depending on the situation. "It is expected that like previous such occasions landlines and WiFi connections will not be suspended."

Meanwhile, contrary to the rumours in the federal capital the mobile phone, data and internet services were operating normally.