We’re entering the fourth day of internet restrictions and at this point, people are finding it ridiculous. In a country where many livelihoods depend on the internet, the economy has been hit hard, yet the authorities are not responding to people’s pleas to restore mobile broadband services and access to social media apps.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Tuesday that mobile broadband services will remain suspended across the country for an “indefinite period” on the interior ministry’s instructions, amid protests following PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest.
However, on Thursday, the Supreme Court declared Imran’s arrest “unlawful” in the Al-Qadir Trust case. He was ordered to “remain in the premises where he is presently retained in police custody, namely, the Police Lines Guest House” overnight and is currently being presented in the Islamabad High Court. Supporters are relieved that he will be released but everyone in the country is confused why is the internet is still shut down.
Netizens, who have been using VPNs to access Twitter, are showing their distress and annoyance. Freelancers who have international clients, work for businesses abroad or those who have e-commerce businesses are experiencing financial losses.
People find it absurd that the ministry isn’t understanding the economic impact of the decision.
Users are also requesting the CEO of Twitter, Elon Musk, to help them.
A user also pointed out that people are missing out and are disconnected from other important news happening around the world.
Trying to keep themselves calm, some users even have a funny take on the ongoing situation.
Actor Osman Khalid Butt also showed his frustration over the decision. He wrote, “We. Cannot. Afford. This.”
Across social media, people are calling for the restrictions to be lifted so we can have some semblance of normalcy.
Internet and social media restrictions still haven’t been lifted and people are mad