Suspension of mobile phone service causes loss to data-based businesses

The nationwide suspension of cellular mobile telephony as well as mobile data service at 8am on the election day caught the citizens by surprise, not only creating fear among the voters but also caused significant loss to several mobile data based businesses. The international internet watchdog ‘NetBlocks’ too has said it detected internet blackouts in multiple regions across the country and that the disruptions follow “months of digital censorship targeting the political opposition.” “Instigating internet blackouts may well be a new government tactic to infringe on citizens’ right to information, suppress dissent, and manipulate election results,” NetBlocks said. NetBlocks is a London-based global internet monitor watchdog also monitors cyber security and governance of the Internet. However, there has not been any statement in this regard by the stakeholders including the telecom companies (telecos). The interior ministry had announced that the move was inevitable in the wake of recent terror attacks in several parts of the country, and the mobile network of all four telecoms including the Ufone, Telenor, Zong4G and Jazz Pakistan went off air soon as the polling time commenced.