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Islamabad
Various parts of Pakistan faced an internet slowdown on Saturday (Oct 5), primarily due to overloading. A report by Dawn on Sunday said that as supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reached near Islamabad on Saturday afternoon, disruption in internet and social media services was reported from many parts of the country.
The report said that disruptions in WhatsApp were received from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore in the last 24 hours.
Speaking to the publication, an official from one of Pakistan's cellular mobile operators said that the country has already been facing low bandwidth due to the upgradation of the Web Management System. The official said that the system was being upgraded to cater to up to 9 terabytes of internet traffic.
Basic services affected
The report further said that the suspension of cellular and mobile data services in Rawalpindi and Islamabad since Friday morning affected basic services like online banking, ride-hailing and food delivery services.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the Punjab government had also requested the suspension of cellular services in key cities of the province, but it was declined.
“[The] cellular services have been suspended in urban areas of Rawalpindi district and Islamabad due to serious concerns of threats by the security agencies,” the official added.
Dozens of cops injured in clashes with PTI supporters
Over 80 police personnel have been injured in clashes with supporters of PTI (the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan) taking part in a march near Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday.
The march, which is being led by the head of the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where Khan's party remains in power, aims to gather in the capital, defying a ban on congregations, to press for Khan's release and agitate against the ruling coalition.
Authorities have sealed off Islamabad and blocked cellphone services to prevent the gathering. The government has deployed the army to enhance security in Islamabad.
(With inputs from agencies)