ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Punjab government has decided to suspend mobile and internet services in a few areas of the Rawalpindi region ahead of the planned long march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to Islamabad on September 27.
The Punjab Home Department has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior requesting the “downgrading or jamming of mobile and internet services for the expected law-and-order situation on Sept 27.”
The request was made in light of the letter communicated by the Central Police Office (CPO) Punjab to maintain law and order, the Punjab Home Department spokesperson said.
The letter sought the jamming of the 2G/3G/4G network at specific locations in Rawalpindi City, adding that the date and time will be communicated later.
Moreover, it also requested the suspension of mobile and internet services in Barahma Bahtar, Gango, Ahata, Taxila City, Wah Saddar, Thallian, Chakri areas on the motorway.
The services will remain downgraded in specific areas of Rawalpindi and Attock districts from September 27, the spokesperson said.
“I am further directed to request that further necessary action may kindly be taken accordingly, under intimation to this Department, please,” the letter stated.
Section 144 enforced
In addition, the department has also enforced Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5 amid security concerns, imposing a complete ban on the assembly, processions, or gathering of five or more people in public places, on highways, or in open spaces.
According to the order, political rallies, processions, sit-ins, and demonstrations have also been prohibited. However, the ban does not apply to wedding ceremonies, funeral prayers, burials, or gatherings at mosques and other places of worship.
The government has also imposed a ban on carrying and public display of all types of weapons in public places. Encouraging or inviting people to participate in gatherings declared unlawful under the order will also be subject to legal action, the order stated.
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