Large parts of Peshawar remained without mobile phone and cellular internet services on Thursday after an unannounced suspension was imposed late Wednesday night as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march reached the provincial capital.
A Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) official said the suspension was being carried out on the instructions of the federal Interior Ministry as a temporary security measure in view of the march. The directions were communicated to the authority on Wednesday night.
The service disruption came as the PTI protest convoy reached Peshawar. The march had started from Lakki Marwat on October 4 and travelled through several southern districts before reaching Khyber and later Peshawar. The convoy is expected to travel through different areas of the city before heading towards Charsadda.
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The mobile service suspension has caused problems for residents, especially parents and students who depend on mobile networks for communication. Educational activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also been affected by previous mobile and internet restrictions, resulting in the postponement of matriculation examinations across the province.
Several private schools in Peshawar also remained closed on Thursday due to the security and traffic situation. Some parents said they were unaware of the closures until their children returned home after finding the school gates closed.
The Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) clarified that it had not ordered a province-wide closure of private schools. It directed educational institutions to remain open unless official instructions were issued. The authority also warned that schools shutting down without permission could face disciplinary action.
The PTI has said it will announce its next course of action as the march moves towards Swabi. However, the final destination and route may change depending on the situation.