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Summary Punjab has requested federal approval to suspend or downgrade mobile and internet services in selected Rawalpindi and Attock areas from Sept. 27 amid security preparations for PTI’s planned march.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – The Punjab government has approached the federal government seeking restrictions on mobile phone and internet services in selected areas of Rawalpindi and Attock from Sept. 27 amid heightened security preparations for the planned PTI long march towards Islamabad.
According to reports, the Punjab Home Department has written to the federal authorities requesting suspension or downgrading of mobile and internet services in specific areas of the two districts. The request has been made in view of the anticipated law-and-order situation surrounding the Sept. 27 political activity.
The proposed telecommunications restrictions have not, however, been reported as a province-wide shutdown. Available reports indicate that the request concerns selected sensitive areas, particularly in Rawalpindi and Attock.
The development comes as security preparations intensify ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s announced long march towards Islamabad on Sept. 27. Authorities have already been taking measures to manage traffic and maintain law and order around routes leading to the federal capital.
The Punjab government has separately requested the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali until Oct. 5 to assist law-enforcement agencies. The request was made amid concerns over possible protests and long marches in the region.
Security preparations have also included plans involving additional personnel and restrictions on movement around key routes. Reports have indicated that major roads connecting
Punjab and Islamabad are being placed under tighter security arrangements as authorities prepare for possible large-scale mobilisation.
Any suspension or downgrading of telecommunications services would require action by the relevant federal authorities. As of Sept. 23, reports indicate that the Punjab government has requested the measures rather than confirmed their implementation.
The proposed restrictions are part of broader security preparations surrounding the Sept. 27 march, with authorities also focusing on road access, deployment of security personnel and management of sensitive locations in and around Rawalpindi, Attock and Islamabad.
