Mobile Internet Suspended In Pakistan’s Islamabad and Rawalpindi Amid TLP March and Kabul Air Raids

Mobile Internet Suspended In Pakistan’s Islamabad and Rawalpindi As Authorities Brace For Tehreek-e-Labbaik’s Aqsa Million March And Security Threats

Pakistani authorities have suspended mobile internet services in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as part of precautionary measures ahead of the planned Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) ‘Aqsa Million March’. Sources told News18 that the decision was prompted by potential security threats and the need to prevent unrest in key urban areas.

The TLP, a hardline Islamist political party, has called for protests in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and across Punjab province against a proposed Gaza deal. The party claims the deal is backed by Western powers, particularly the United States, and has urged its supporters to march toward the US Embassy in Islamabad after Friday prayers on October 10. TLP described the march as a “decisive protest against the betrayal of Gaza,” according to sources.

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To prevent the escalation of violence, the Punjab provincial government has invoked Section 144 across the province until October 18. This prohibits public gatherings, religious assemblies, and political meetings. The official notification, accessed exclusively by CNN-News18, bans the assembly of four or more people in public spaces, restricts the use of loudspeakers, and warns that violators will face legal action.

An additional directive, dated October 9, was issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control. Marked “Secret” and “Most Immediate,” it instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to enforce these measures. The order was approved by the Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating the potential unrest.

The TLP has emerged as a major political force in Pakistan, securing nearly 2.9 million votes in the 2024 general election, making it the country’s fourth-largest political party. Its growing influence has been accompanied by multiple street protests and sit-ins in the past, which have disrupted city life and led to clashes with law enforcement.

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In anticipation of the upcoming march, the Islamabad administration has strategically placed shipping containers at the Faizabad Interchange, a site historically associated with TLP protests. Sources confirmed to News18 that these measures aim to block access routes and prevent demonstrators from entering the city center.

Security forces in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also blocked key exit and entry points to prevent large gatherings and potential violence. In Rawalpindi, authorities have detained 117 TLP activists and key organizers to disrupt the coordination of the march. Similar preventive measures have been taken in Peshawar, ensuring heightened security in multiple urban centers.

These steps come amid heightened tensions in the region following air raids in Kabul, which have further raised security concerns in Pakistan. The combination of domestic unrest and regional instability has prompted authorities to take extraordinary measures, including the suspension of mobile internet services, to maintain order.

By restricting internet access and imposing Section 144, Pakistani authorities aim to curb communication among protesters and reduce the risk of large-scale demonstrations. The government’s proactive approach underscores the potential challenges posed by TLP’s mobilization and the volatile security situation in the region.

As the October 10 march approaches, security forces remain on high alert, ready to respond to any escalation. Authorities continue to monitor the movement of TLP supporters and are enforcing restrictions to prevent clashes with law enforcement or damage to public infrastructure. The situation in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains tense, with mobile internet suspended and city routes closely monitored as precautionary measures.

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