Pindi internet services suspended ahead of PTI long march? PTA clarifies
No final suspension order issued
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that it has not received formal instructions to suspend or downgrade telecom services in Rawalpindi or Attock. Officials said no final directive has been issued to the authority ahead of the planned protest on September 27.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication also confirmed that the Ministry of Interior has not directed the PTA to suspend telecom services. The regulator said it can take action only after receiving formal instructions from the relevant federal authorities.
Punjab seeks restrictions in Rawalpindi
The Punjab Home Department had earlier requested restrictions on mobile services in selected areas of Rawalpindi on September 27 from 9:00 am. The request sought suspension of 2G, 3G and 4G services at specified locations due to expected security and law-and-order concerns.
The proposed areas include the route from Barahma Bhatar to the M-1, along with Gango, Ahata and Taxila City. Wah Saddar, Thallian and Chakri were also included in the request, while service timings for other areas were to be shared separately.
Attock service downgrade also proposed
The Punjab government also requested a downgrade of mobile and internet services across Attock district from September 27 onward. The request was sent to the Ministry of Interior and followed communication from the Central Police Office in Punjab.
The provincial request was dated September 21 and referred to the expected law-and-order situation during the planned activity. However, the request has not turned into a final federal order for telecom restrictions.
PTA awaits federal instructions
As of September 23, no final decision had been issued on telecom restrictions in Rawalpindi or the proposed service downgrade in Attock. The PTA has maintained that formal instructions from competent federal authorities are required before any such action can be taken.
This means the requested restrictions remain proposals rather than confirmed measures at this stage. Mobile and internet users in the affected areas should therefore distinguish between the provincial request and an approved suspension order.
The latest position shows that there is a request for telecom restrictions, but no final suspension order has been issued to the PTA. Services therefore remain unaffected by any confirmed suspension decision at this stage.
Any change will depend on instructions from the Ministry of Interior and other competent authorities. Users should rely on official announcements for confirmation rather than treating the provincial request as a final service shutdown.
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