Islamabad:In anticipation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24, the government has decided to partially suspend mobile and internet services in various districts of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. Sources confirm that from November 22, a firewall will be activated on mobile internet services, which will slow down internet speeds and block video and audio downloads on social media apps.

The decision to limit internet and mobile services has sparked widespread criticism from users and media personalities alike. Renowned journalist Hamid Mir pointed out the irony of the situation, stating that while media outlets frequently report that negotiations between the government and PTI are underway and the protest may be called off, the government is simultaneously suspending mobile services in an attempt to thwart the protest. Mir criticized the government’s actions, suggesting that it is damaging its own credibility and that the media is inadvertently contributing to the problem.

Columnist Rameez Satti also weighed in, writing that the government’s decision to suspend internet and mobile services from November 23 reflects its fear of PTI’s “final call” for the protest.

Meanwhile, a PTI activist, Shafqat Ayaz, shared information about an app that can be used for communication during the protest without the need for internet access. He urged people to download the app from the Apple and Play stores and to inform their friends, emphasizing that the app would allow for communication even during network restrictions.

On social media, one X (formerly Twitter) user expressed frustration, stating that the government should focus on prosecuting PTI leadership for “treason” rather than resorting to service suspensions to prevent the protest.

While many users criticized the government, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri, provided a solution for maintaining communication during the service outage. He recommended two apps, **BRIAR** and **Bridgefy**, which can operate through Bluetooth and do not require an internet connection. Suri explained that these apps allow users to create accounts without providing phone numbers or email addresses, and they can even use pseudonyms. He noted that the apps have a communication range of up to 100 meters or 300 feet, and the more people who have the app, the wider the communication reach will be.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Jamshed Iqbal Cheema criticized the government’s actions, stating that the suspension of internet and mobile services would cause significant losses for the IT sector and freelance workers, who have already suffered due to slow internet speeds and service disruptions. He expressed concern that these measures were being taken to impede PTI’s peaceful protest, which he believed should not be obstructed in this way.

As the government prepares for potential unrest, citizens, journalists, and political figures alike are grappling with the implications of these communication restrictions, raising concerns about the broader impact on the public’s ability to connect, engage, and participate in the democratic process.