<\/p>\n
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has urged the Supreme Court to take notice of the suspension<\/a> of internet service and blockage of social media websites during the party\u2019s fundraising telethon on Sunday.<\/p>\n Telecom operators have also expres\u00adsed concern over frequent internet outages \u201con political grounds\u201d.<\/p>\n In a statement, the PTI spokesperson alleged that 240 million people were deprived of their basic rights by the suspension, which also resulted in financial losses for the country.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is unfortunate that a political party is not being allowed to hold political activities. It is illegal to disturb digital activities and sabotage the electoral campaign,\u201d the party spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch tactics cannot distance the people and PTI,\u201d the spokesperson said, and demanded the Supreme Court hold accountable those \u201cwho became the reason for financial losses to the country\u201d.<\/p>\n However, despite internet suspension, the party claimed to have raised tens of millions of rupees through donations. \u201cAfter realising that the PTI has be\u00ad\u00adc\u00adome the most popular political party in Pakistan, efforts are being made to turn the party\u2019s victory into a defeat by political engineering and use of state power.\u201d<\/p>\n Telecom operators lament losses due to digital blackout on \u2018political grounds\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sunday was the second time in recent months that internet services were disrupted as the PTI planned to host an on\u00ad\u00adline event. On Dec 17, the party organised a virtual power show, which also suffered<\/a> due to a disruption in internet services.<\/p>\n The Telecom Operators Association (TOA) has written a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) ex\u00ad\u00adpressing concerns over the regular internet throttling \u201con political grounds\u201d.<\/p>\n \n