Nov 24 protest: PTI urges Elon Musk to provide Starlink in case of internet shutdowns
Communication outages hit country as PTI prepares to march on Islamabad for its "do-or-die" protest
November 24, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on X owner Elon Musk to deploy Starlink internet services in Pakistan in the wake of the internet disruptions reported across the country ahead of the party's planned "do-or-die" protest in Islamabad today (Sunday)
In a statement posted on the official PTI website, the party addressed Musk directly, writing, “Hey Elon @elonmusk!”.
The post states that millions of Pakistanis are marching for the restoration of democracy, protection of the constitution, and upholding of human rights this Sunday, November 24.
The post further claimed: “The world needs to see and hear their remarkable story! The illegitimate, authoritarian regime has not only shut down @X since February 2024, abducted and tortured social media activists as well as their family members but is now planning on shutting down the internet altogether. Pakistan needs Starlink.”
The message was accompanied by hashtags ‘PakistanUnderFascism’ and ‘UndeclaredMartialLaw’.
The plea to Musk comes as communication services across the country face significant disruptions tied to the government’s broader security measures ahead of the protest.
Major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, are experiencing mobile internet and service interruptions, leaving residents and businesses struggling to stay connected.
Mobile data services have been suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. while Peshawar has reported partial internet disruptions, though mobile networks remain operational.
Karachi residents have also experienced mobile internet outages since last night, while southern Punjab cities such as Bahawalpur, Kamalia, and Toba Tek Singh face full suspensions of both internet and cellular services.
Other affected areas include Dera Ismail Khan, Gujranwala, Rajanpur, and Hafizabad, where internet services have been halted.
The Ministry of Interior clarified that internet and cellular service suspensions are limited to areas deemed high-risk for security concerns, assuring that connectivity remains unaffected in other parts of the country.
Despite stringent government measures to block access to the federal capital, PTI insists on holding its protest in Islamabad today.
PTI’s much-hyped protest centres on demands for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and allegations of election rigging, suppression of dissent, and the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Security measures include the deployment of hundreds of police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, sealing Islamabad’s entry and exit points, and enforcing Section 144.
With the protest set to coincide with the upcoming visit of the Belarusian president, tensions remain high.
