AS expected, the Pakistan Telecommu-nication Authority (PTA) suspended cellular services during by-elections in a few districts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan that were held recently. The same was experienced in the general elections on Feb 8.

This was not the first time the interior ministry opted for shutting down cellular services, for it suspends the services every now and then in the name of some mysterious plan to avert a possible terrorist attack. We need to take a look at what other countries do as part of security measures. India is having general elections in almost all the states and there is no such high alert or suspension of cellular services in any state.

It is only in Pakistan that the authorities take such irrational measures. The suspension of cellular services only creates problems for the people, for they are not able to get in touch with each other in case of an emergency. Moreover, the suspension of cellular services unnece- ssarily creates doubts about pre-poll rigging as it directly affects the voter. Our policymakers need to realise that suspension of cellular services provides an opportunity to the opposition parties to cry foul and to make the electoral exercise controversial.

I wonder how long we will endure such curbs in the name of security. The relevant ministry should reconsider

its decision of suspending such essential services so frequently. We need to have some practical mechanism in place to tackle the trend of terrorism rather than framing and following policies that only create misery for the people who are already burdened with a lot of problems.

Irshad Ahmed Memon
Larkana

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2024