Mobile services disrupted in parts of Peshawar ahead of PTI march: report

Mobile and cellular internet services were reportedly suspended in several parts of Peshawar on Thursday as the PTI’s long march is due to enter the provincial capital.

The disruption began on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday, a media report said, citing residents and sources. There was no official announcement about the suspension.

Quoting a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) official, the report said that the authority had ordered the temporary shutdown on the instructions of higher authorities.

The official said that the decision was taken as a security measure in view of the PTI march and that directions from the relevant ministry were received on Wednesday night.

The PTI began its march from Lakki Marwat on October 4, demanding the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The convoy reached Khyber district on Wednesday and is scheduled to proceed to Peshawar on Thursday.

Meanwhile, several private schools in Peshawar remained closed on Thursday, although government-run schools, colleges and universities continued to operate.

Some parents said they only learned about the closures after taking their children to school in the morning and finding the gates shut.