The PPP has urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to “issue instructions” on the matter of internet services being suspended across the country, which it says has “impacted voter turnout”.

In a letter, PPP Central Election Cell Incharge Senator Taj Haider said that the party conveyed its “deep concern on the unannounced disruptions of internet”.

Haider pointed out the government’s move was in violation of the 2018 order by the Islamabad High Court that declared the suspension of mobile phone services on the pretext of “security concerns” illegal.

“The closure has also adversely affected reporting and responding to security incidents. One of our workers was shot dead in Mirpurkhas today and it was after an hour that we came to know about the murder,” the letter stated.

It also claimed that “all political parties except PML-N have objected” to the internet disruption. “In spite of our request to ECP to restore services, these services have not been restored.”