ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid apologised for having to suspend social media services on Friday.
The minister said in a video message, that the Tehreek-e-Labiak (TLP) had given a call to protest after the Friday congregational prayers which would have deteriorated the transport situation in the country.
“As the Interior minister I apologise that we had to suspend special media for three hours, and due to this Friday saw normalcy and peace without any disruption,” the minister said.
“I would also like to pay a tribute to the police forces, the ranger, Punjab administration and the Karachi administration for handling the situation. These violent groups who have been instigating violence have been defeated. From henceforth we will try that we do not even have to suspend social media services in such a situation,” the minister expressed.
The video message came after social media services were suspended on Friday before noon till four in the evening for several cities of the country, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, on account of the ongoing operation against the banned religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
Sources in the Telecom Industry said that the decision of suspending cellular phone services was taken on the directives of the federal government and other law enforcement agencies. “Lahore is the most affected city as the cellular services were not being provided in most areas of the city,” a source said.
Access to popular websites has been restored completely.
