Pakistan: YouTube faces disruptions as former PM Imran Khan streams speech
Islamabad (Pakistan), August 22: YouTube on Sunday faced disruptions on multiple internet providers in Pakistan as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan delivered a speech in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh, an internet watchdog reported.
The disruption came as the former PM addressed the public, a day after his live speeches were banned by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
"Confirmed: Metrics corroborate reports of a disruption to YouTube in Pakistan on multiple internet providers; the incident comes as former PM Imran Khan live streams on the platform despite a ban by media regulator PEMRA," NetBlocks said on Twitter.
According to the watchdog, real-time network data showed that the disruption affected some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during the live-streamed speech.
Tensions in Pakistan remain high following the booking of the PTI chief under the anti-terror law.
Earlier on Sunday, Imran Khan was booked under an anti-terror law for allegedly threatening the additional sessions judge of the federal capital, exacerbating the rift between the country's coalition government and supporters of the former Prime Minister.
In the midst of the looming threat of arrest for the former Pakistan Prime Minister, the PTI has drawn a "red line," threatening serious consequences if the government attempts to arrest Imran Khan.
Following rumours of his possible arrest on Sunday night, a large number of supporters flocked to Imran Khan's Bani Gala residence in solidarity with their leader.
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In the early hours of Monday, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry directed his party workers to Imran's Bani Gala residence, claiming that scores of workers were already present.
In an address to the media, another senior PTI official, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, stated that he has instructed party activists to remain prepared and wait for the party's order to protest Imran's arrest.
Qureshi cautioned that if any untoward move is made, Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari will bear the consequences.
The current situation stems from the arrest of PTI politician Shahbaz Gill, whom PTI leaders claim was tortured by Islamabad police.
Gill, a close aide to Imran Khan, was arrested by authorities on August 9 after making controversial remarks on television about the Pakistan army that were deemed "highly hateful and seditious" by the country's media authority.
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-PTC News
