Internal situation in Pakistan grim as Government bans TLP, France asks citizens to leave country and Social Media blocked completely

Pakistan has issued a blanket ban on all social media platforms from 11AM to 3PM on Friday as per  a notification issued by Interior Ministry of Pakistan which is being circulated on internet. The ban affects most widely used social media platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Telegram. Telecom Operators are not sure of ban being lifted after 3PM as the law enforcement agencies and armed forces expect massive violence or protests after Friday prayers in mosques this afternoon.

The social media ban comes on the heels of ban imposed on the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after days of violent protests by the members of the radical Islamist group following the arrest of their leader. Relations between Paris and Islamabad have worsened since the end of last year after President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to a French history teacher who was beheaded by an 18-year-old man of Chechen origin for showing cartoons of the Prophet in a class on freedom of speech and pledged to fight Islamist Separatism. TLP had demanded that the French envoy be expelled from the country and import of French goods be banned. Arrest of Saad Rizvi, son of TLP leader and Islamist cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi who expired in November last year, has led to nationwide protests and blocking of highways over the past week. The arrest was a precautionary measure by Government to control the anticipated violent protests as the 20 April deadline issued by TLP was approaching for the expulsion of French Ambassador. It is reported that police and armed forces are also facing the ire of protesters which has brought the nation to a standstill. A notification declaring TLP as a proscribed organization was issued by the Ministry of Interior shortly after the federal cabinet approved a summary to ban the party, reported Dawn News.

French Embassy in an email to its citizens on Thursday said, “Due to the serious threats to French interests in Pakistan, French nationals and French companies are advised to temporarily leave the country.”  Though the embassy has not been closed down, the spokesperson clarified that they are working with limited staff.

The ban on social media comes before the forces attempt to clear protesters in Lahore. The government has also circulated a handwritten note, purportedly written by Saad Rizvi, urging his supporters to stand down. However, no comments by Rizvi or his party were available even though Government hopes to calm tensions by releasing the note.