In a shocking turn of events, the Pakistani government has suspended mobile and internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and sealed the capital’s entry and exit routes. This they did ahead of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP), a radical Islamist party, planned ‘Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March’ on Friday.
Violent Clashes between Police and protestors
Violent clashes broke out between police and members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party in Lahore city. A dozen were injured over the issue of an anti-Israel protest. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan had announced to hold an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US embassy in Islamabad on Friday. Following this, the Punjab police raided the TLP headquarters in Islamabad to arrest its chief, Saad Hussain Rizvi. This led to various clashes and violence in the country. Violence broke out in the city late on Wednesday night and Thursday after the Punjab police launched the crackdown.
What happened in Pakistan?
According to various reports, the Ministry of interior directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend mobile and internet services. Following this internet was suspended in the twin cities from midnight on Friday for an indefinite period. This they did as a precaution, which was approved by interior minister Mohsin Naqvi ahead of the violent protests. The intel report also cited that the protest may go violent, spreading to the neighbouring cities. This was the reason that the government decided to ban the internet to resist its spread.
Section 144 Imposed
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has also imposed Section 144 across the province with immediate effect, banning all kinds of protests, rallies, and public gatherings for 10 days. A notification from the provincial home department stated that gatherings of four or more people in public places, streets, and open areas will be prohibited. However, prayers, weddings, funerals, offices, and court premises were exempted. According to the order released, a complete ban on the display of weapons and the use of loudspeakers throughout Punjab is also imposed.
