Major internet connectivity issues were reported across Pakistan with Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi witnessing massive disruption in services, a development that comes on the heels of former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest earlier in the day.

An official with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed mobile broadband services have been suspended in the country.

“This has happened on the instruction of the ministry of interior,” the official told Business Recorder.

Outage tracking website Downdetector.pk also showed a significant spike in complaints on multiple social media platforms as well. Services of YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter saw disruption in services after 8pm on Tuesday.

Twitter’s website showed an error message.

The development comes at a crucial time for the country that is seeing widescale protests against Imran’s arrest with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and party workers out on the streets in several cities in response to the authorities’ move.