By Zainab Shafiq 
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has recently confirmed that it is yet to receive any directives from the government regarding the restoration of mobile internet services. These services were suspended by the telecom regulator on May 9, following the outbreak of violent protests following the arrest of Imran Khan.
In the wake of the arrest, supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) engaged in tumultuous demonstrations targeting military and government buildings in cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. To maintain control and manage the situation, authorities decided to suspend internet services and block access to major social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The PTA, in its recent statement, reiterated that internet services would remain suspended until further notice. However, it assured users that broadband internet services were still available for use.
It is worth noting that the PTA has not received any fresh orders from the authorities regarding the restoration of mobile internet services since the initial suspension was imposed upon the Ministry of Interior’s order.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, on Thursday, expressed hope that mobile internet services would be restored within the next 36 hours. However, the PTA’s latest announcement suggests that the restoration process is yet to commence, pending further instructions from the government.
As the situation unfolds, citizens across the country continue to experience the temporary halt in mobile internet services, impacting their online connectivity and access to digital platforms. The PTA, in coordination with the government, will determine the appropriate time to reinstate internet services while considering the overall security and stability of the nation.
In the interim, individuals are advised to utilize alternative means of communication and stay informed through other available sources to keep up with important developments. The PTA will provide updates regarding the restoration of internet services as soon as it receives the necessary instructions from the government authorities.