ISLAMABAD: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto, alongside other key politicians, has called for the immediate restoration of internet and mobile services, condemning their suspension as casting doubt on the integrity of the entire election process.
The Interior Ministry initiated the shutdown of internet and mobile phone services in several cities before polling commenced on Thursday, citing security concerns.
Bilawal Bhutto stressed the urgency of restoring internet and mobile services, instructing his party to take legal action by approaching the high court and the ECP.
Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 8, 2024
Another PPP leader, Saeed Ghani, criticized the decision to halt internet services, stating it would undermine the electoral process’s credibility. He urged the ECP to intervene and restore the services, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to ensure security.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar echoed similar concerns, highlighting that such measures not only inconvenience the public but also risk making the election process controversial.
SINDH GOVT
Interim provincial information minister, Ahmed Shah, attributed the suspension of mobile phone services to terror incidents in Balochistan. He clarified that the authority to suspend mobile phone services ultimately lies with the federal government.
While Ahmed Shah acknowledged the temporary suspension of mobile phone services, he assured that they would be reinstated except in areas with ongoing security concerns.
ECP STOPS RECEIVING COMPLAINTS DUE TO INTERNET DISRUPTION
Disruption in mobile and internet services has led to the complaint cell of the Election Commission ceasing to receive complaints.
Citizens nationwide face challenges in lodging complaints with the Election Commission’s complaint cell due to the suspension of internet services.
Despite ongoing polling for the general elections 2024, the government has opted to temporarily suspend mobile and internet services nationwide due to security concerns.
Millions of voters across the country remain unable to access information about their votes due to the disruption of the Election Commission’s 8300 SMS service.