Internet shutdown part of plan to hamper election process: Salman Akram Raja
LAHORE, Feb 08: Salman Akram Raja, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate, has denounced the shutdown of internet and phone services on Election Day, labeling it as a deliberate attempt to keep citizens uninformed.
Addressing journalists, Raja expressed his dismay at the unprecedented situation, emphasizing that such measures have never been witnessed in Pakistan's history.
Raja asserted that the blackout of communication services hindered the democratic process and demanded the immediate restoration of mobile phone service. He stressed that shutting down essential communication channels was unjustified and urged authorities to reconsider their decision.
Amidst the disruption, Raja remained optimistic about voter turnout, expressing confidence that people would overcome obstacles and cast their votes in large numbers for PTI. He emphasized the importance of transparency and public engagement in the electoral process.
The suspension of mobile phone and internet services, implemented due to security concerns, has caused widespread inconvenience across various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. Additional areas such as Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, and Abbottabad also reported disruptions, prompting complaints from affected residents.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior defended the decision to suspend mobile services nationwide, citing recent incidents of terrorism and the need for heightened security measures to ensure public safety and address potential threats.
