Netizens, analysts slam govt's move to suspend mobile service on election day

As Pakistan heads to the polls today, the Interior Ministry has temporarily suspended mobile phone service across the country, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

“Recent surge in terrorist activities resulting in precious lives have stirred the security environment in the country,” the interior ministry’s statement read. 

For this reason, it added, “need has arisen to take measures to safeguard against” security threats.

The suspension of mobile services has drawn criticism from political analysts and netizens who worry about its implications for transparency and communication.

South Asian expert Michael Kuglemen took to ‘X’ and criticised the caretaker government’s decision to block cellular services. 

“Pakistan has suspended mobile phone services nationwide, citing security concerns. This is an ominous start to election day. The move violates multiple high court rulings since 2018. Security concerns were greater in 2018 and 2013, and I don't recall a move like this back then,” his post read. 

Pakistan has suspended mobile phone services nationwide, citing security concerns. This is an ominous start to election day.
The move violates multiple high court rulings since 2018.
Security concerns were greater in 2018 and 2013, and I don't recall a move like this back then.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) February 8, 2024

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Hammad Azhar and politician and independent candidate from NA-76 and NA-47, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar expressed displeasure over outage of mobile signals on the pivotal day of elections

With the suspension of mobile communications & internet, the sms service of 8300 which allows voters to check which polling station their vote is to be cast at has been lost. Candidates have also lost touch with their workers coordinating on ground.

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) February 8, 2024

Shutting down mobile networks on polling day is the beginning of election day rigging. Pre-poll environment was already one of the worst in Pak’s history. Cutting candidates off from their agents and staff on election day is unacceptable. How’s one suppose to keep a check and…

— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) February 8, 2024

Important: Mobile services have been suspended nationwide just moments before the commencement of polling in what is anticipated to be one of #Pakistan's most controversial elections in history.#PakistanElection #PakistanElection2024 #GeneralElections2024

— Ahmad Noorani (@Ahmad_Noorani) February 8, 2024

It's a shameful move to suspend mobile service in the name of security on the polling day in Pakistan. #PakistanElection

— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) February 8, 2024

The Human Rights Comission of Pakistan (HRCP) stated, "The government of Pakistan is shutting down mobile service and internet services in various cities of Pakistan. This is sad and cause for concern."

The government of Pakistan is shutting down mobile service and internet services in various cities of Pakistan. This is sad and cause for concern. The Human Rights Council of Pakistan expresses its concern over this move by the government. This decision of the government will…

— Human Rights Council of Pakistan (@HRCPakistan) February 8, 2024