ISLAMABAD: Internet services have been shut down in Lahore on the instructions of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as the deadline given by outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) today.
The PTA has issued orders to shut down internet services in Samanabad, Sherkot, Nawankot, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Sabzazar, and Iqbal Town areas of Lahore till further notice. The TLP has given two days ultimatum to the government for the release of its leader Hafiz Saad Rizvi in its protest.
In April, an agreement was reached between the TLP and the government on other issues, including the release of Allama Saad Rizvi, which has not yet been implemented. According to TLP spokesperson, instead of abiding by the agreement, the government repeatedly violated it, which was supposed to be completed in three days. They have been protesting peacefully for 15 days but no response has been received yet.
Read also: TLP warns government to release its leader Hafiz Saad Rizvi
While giving an ultimatum to the government, the TLP said, “We have seen protests without closing the roads. If all the clauses of the agreement are not implemented in their true spirit, we will announce the next course of action on October 21.”
The detention of Hafiz Saad Rizvi, head of the TLP, was challenged in the Lahore High Court, with the Punjab provincial government and the Lahore city administration being party to the petition.
