Internet shutdowns: Will Musk's Starlink open on PTI's call?

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has appealed to Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), to activate Starlink satellite internet services in Pakistan, citing widespread internet disruptions ahead of the party's planned "do-or-die" protest in Islamabad.

The protest, scheduled for Sunday, November 24, is aimed at calling for the restoration of democracy and the protection of human rights.

In a statement on its official website, PTI addressed Musk directly, highlighting the deteriorating situation in the country. The party criticized the government for shutting down mobile internet services in several cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, and expressed concerns that a complete internet blackout could be imposed to suppress the protest.

PTI’s statement accused the government of authoritarian practices, claiming that internet shutdowns and other security measures were part of a broader effort to curb dissent and silence opposition voices.

The PTI post read: "Millions of Pakistanis are marching for the restoration of democracy, the protection of the constitution, and human rights. The world needs to see and hear their remarkable story! Pakistan needs Starlink." The call for Starlink comes amid growing disruptions in mobile and internet services across the country.

Major cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi have seen internet outages, with services suspended in parts of southern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While some areas remain unaffected, the government has acknowledged the shutdowns, citing security concerns due to the planned protest.

PTI’s protest, which coincides with the visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, is centered on demands for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, allegations of election rigging, and the passage of the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The protest is set against a backdrop of heightened security, with the government enforcing Section 144 and deploying large numbers of police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary personnel around Islamabad.

Despite these challenges, PTI remains determined to go ahead with the protest, which it describes as a critical moment in Pakistan's fight for democracy and human rights.