ISLAMABAD: Amid the looming “do-or-die” protest announced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 24, the federal government has decided to partially suspend internet and mobile services in Islamabad and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, sources told Geo News on Thursday.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will activate its internet firewall from November 22 and the aforesaid services will be suspended from November 23, added the sources.

The development comes as the former ruling party — which has repeatedly called for the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and the return of its mandate which it alleges was stolen in the February 8 polls — has announced holding a protest march in the federal capital this week.

With the party hinting at chances of its protest turning into a sit-in, authorities have already begun gearing up for the demonstrations — which in the recent past have resulted in clashes between the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and PTI workers.

The Punjab government has already announced to deal with the PTI protesters stringently with provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari saying that the demonstrators will be dealt with the same as terrorists.

However, amid reports of talks between the government and the Khan-founded party, the latter has hinted at calling off the protest in case of a breakthrough in the negotiations.

This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.