WORLD NEWS | Amnesty International calls on PTA to restore internet services

Islamabad [Pakistan]May 10 (ANI): Human rights group Amnesty International has called on the Pakistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to restore internet service and access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in the country.

The statement from Amnesty International’s regional office for South Asia follows the Pakistan Telecom Authority’s suspension of mobile broadband services across the country on Tuesday following the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

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Amnesty International’s South Asia regional office said on its official Twitter account, “Pakistan: Amnesty International suspends mobile internet and access to Twitter amid fears of escalating clashes between supporters of Imran Khan and police. Appalled by the reports on Facebook and YouTube.” Amnesty International South Asia Regional Office said in another tweet, “This restricts people’s access to information and freedom of expression. We call on the Pakistan Telecom Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately withdraw this ban.”

The Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) said that mobile broadband services were blocked across Pakistan on Tuesday following an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs, News International reported.

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Mobile broadband services were blocked after videos of violent protests were widely circulated on social media platforms, as unrest intensified following the arrest of Pakistan Justice Instigation (PTI) chief Imran Khan, according to international news reports, a PTA spokesman said.

According to a spokesman for the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA), according to news reports, the regulator is receiving reports on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

After Imran Khan’s arrest, PTI cadres launched a series of protests across Pakistan including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Quetta, Mardan, Bannu and Chila s.

Protesters in Pakistan entered the compound of the army commander in Lahore and Rawalpindi following the arrest of Imran Khan, according to multiple Pakistani media reports. Several videos that emerged on social media platforms showed groups of men, some with their faces covered, entering the enclosed premises of GHQ armed with sticks and were later seen banging on the walls with sticks.

Imran Khan was arrested by rangers on Tuesday at the seat of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) following the issuance of a warrant by the National Accountability Office in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Following his arrest, PTI urged supporters in Pakistan to protest and “block all roads, close all shops”. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday said the arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Justice Instigation (PTI) chief Imran Khan was “lawful”, Geo News reported. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)