PTA Reveals If Internet Will Go Down During Protest

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has disclosed that it has not yet received any official orders to disable or reduce mobile and internet services in Rawalpindi or Attock, officials revealed to ProPakistani. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has also affirmed that the Punjab government has not directed the PTA to suspend or downgrade telecom services.

PTA representatives stated that the authority will only act upon receiving formal directives from the relevant federal bodies. The Punjab government's request for service suspension did not automatically trigger a final decision. On September 27, a request by the Punjab Home Department to halt 2G, 3G, and 4G services along certain routes in Rawalpindi was made, commencing at 9:00 am.

The specific routes encompassed the stretch from Barahma Bhatar to M-1, Gango, Ahata, Taxila City, Wah Saddar, Thallian, and Chakri. The provincial authorities mentioned that information regarding additional locations in Rawalpindi would be provided separately. Punjab had also asked for a downgrade of mobile and internet services throughout the Attock district, starting from September 27, following a communication from the Central Police Office, Punjab, which cited anticipated law and order concerns.

As of September 23, however, there had been no definitive determination on the suspension or downgrade of mobile and internet services in the Rawalpindi area on September 27.