No Orders Yet to Suspend Internet in Rawalpindi, Attock: PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on 23 September that it had not received any formal instructions to suspend or downgrade mobile and internet services in Rawalpindi or Attock district, according to ProPakistani.

The outlet quoted PTA officials as saying the authority will act only after receiving formal instructions from the competent federal authorities. They added that a request from the Punjab government on its own does not amount to a final order to suspend telecommunication services.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication also confirmed that the Ministry of Interior has not issued any direction to the PTA for suspending or downgrading telecom services.

Punjab's Home Department had asked the federal interior ministry to suspend 2G, 3G and 4G services at specified locations in Rawalpindi on 27 September beginning at 9:00 am. The locations named in the request include the route from Barahma Bhatar to the M-1, Gango, Ahata, Taxila City, Wah Saddar, Thallian and Chakri. For other specified locations in Rawalpindi, the provincial government said timings would be communicated separately.

The provincial government also asked that mobile and internet services across Attock district be downgraded from 27 September onwards. The request was dated 21 September and was forwarded after a communication from the Central Police Office, Punjab, which cited the expected law-and-order situation. The report did not detail the nature of those concerns.

As of 23 September, no final decision had been taken on suspending or downgrading mobile and internet services in the Rawalpindi region on 27 September. PTA's clarification means a formal order from federal authorities, not just a provincial request, would be needed for any shutdown.