ISLAMABAD — On Sunday, Pakistan’s government suspended mobile and internet services in regions identified as having security risks as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan prepared for a rally in the capital.

The announcement was made by the Interior Ministry via social media, although the platform X is prohibited within Pakistan. Specific locations affected were not detailed, nor was there clarity on the duration of the service disruption.

According to the social media posts, “internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country.” A spokesperson from the Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for further information.

Imran Khan has been incarcerated for over a year now, facing over 150 legal challenges that his political faction, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims are driven by political motives. Despite his imprisonment, Khan’s popularity persists, with his supporters frequently using social media platforms to advocate for his release and disseminate updates about rallies and events, particularly through messaging apps like WhatsApp.

In preparation for the anticipated protests, the government has fortified Islamabad by blocking roads with shipping containers and restricting key routes leading to PTI’s stronger areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Furthermore, the government has been enforcing bans on social media platforms and targeting VPN services, according to Netblocks, an organization monitoring internet accessibility. They reported on Sunday that data indicated restrictions on WhatsApp’s connectivity in Pakistan, hampering media sharing capabilities on the platform.

Just a month prior, cell service had been halted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to hinder a demonstration supporting Khan, which resulted in significant communication disturbances and adversely impacted essential services including banking, ride-sharing, and food delivery options.