Caretaker Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi dismissed speculations of an impending internet shutdown on February 8, as the nation anticipates over 128 million voters to exercise their right to vote.
Speaking on a private news channel, Solangi acknowledged the authority of local administrations to decide on internet shutdowns based on law and order situations. However, he emphasized that no such situation has been reported thus far.
These comments come in the wake of several internet disruptions leading up to the upcoming general elections, notably on December 7 and 17, and later on January 20. The government’s lack of specific reasons for these disruptions, except for the January 20 incident labeled as a “technical fault” by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has raised concerns about a potential shutdown on election day.
Caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced on Sunday that internet services would be temporarily restricted in sensitive polling booths in the province on election day. Achakzai stated that ensuring the safety of citizens is a top priority, expressing concerns about potential exploitation of social media platforms by terrorists.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja also rejected the possibility of communications and internet service outages on February 8. After a comprehensive meeting on security arrangements in the wake of terrorist attacks, Raja stated, “No proposal for internet shutdown on election day is under consideration.”
Minister Solangi addressed security threats as a serious issue, emphasizing that extraordinary measures may be necessary in such situations. Regarding the possibility of election delays, he firmly rejected the notion, citing historical instances where polls were held under challenging conditions.
Responding to queries about the caretaker government’s impartiality, Solangi reiterated their commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.
