Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has urged X owner Elon Musk to introduce Starlink internet services in Pakistan. The move highlights recent internet disruptions linked to security measures before today’s “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad.
In a public statement on their official website, PTI addressed Musk with, “Hey Elon @elonmusk!” emphasizing the urgency.
The post highlighted that millions in Pakistan are marching today, November 24, to demand democracy, constitutional protection, and human rights. PTI claimed, “The world needs to see and hear their remarkable story! The illegitimate, authoritarian regime has not only shut down @X since February 2024, abducted and tortured social media activists and their family members, but is now planning on shutting down the internet altogether. Pakistan needs Starlink.” The post included hashtags like ‘PakistanUnderFascism’ and ‘UndeclaredMartialLaw’.
This plea to Musk is a response to widespread communication disruptions across Pakistan, tied to the government’s security strategies before the protest. Major cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi have seen significant interruptions to mobile internet services, affecting residents and businesses.
Read: Over 1,200 PTI Workers Detained Ahead of Islamabad Protest
Mobile data services are suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while Peshawar faces partial internet disruptions, though mobile networks remain operational. Karachi residents have been dealing with mobile internet outages since last night, and cities in southern Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Kamalia, and Toba Tek Singh, are experiencing complete shutdowns of both internet and cellular services.
Other areas, such as Dera Ismail Khan, Gujranwala, Rajanpur, and Hafizabad, reported that internet services had been halted. The Ministry of Interior has explained that officials have limited these suspensions to areas deemed high-risk for security issues, maintaining normal connectivity in other parts.
Despite these restrictions, PTI plans to protest in Islamabad today. The protest will focus on demanding the release of PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, addressing allegations of election rigging and suppression of dissent and advocating for the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Read: Widespread WhatsApp Outages in Pakistan During PTI Protests
Security measures are in place, with hundreds of police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary personnel deployed. Authorities have sealed the city’s entry and exit points and enforced Section 144 to manage the situation. These preparations come as the city anticipates the visit of the Belarusian president, adding to the already heightened tension.
