Balochistan High Court Addresses Petition Against Internet Service Suspension

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has accepted a petition for consideration that contests the suspension of mobile phone and internet access throughout the province.

On August 6, authorities curtailed mobile internet services in the majority of Balochistan’s districts, including Quetta, the provincial capital, due to reported security concerns. This suspension is slated to remain in effect until August 31.

The Balochistan Consumer Civil Society submitted the petition, asserting that the shutdown is negatively impacting online learning, impeding commercial operations, and creating communication barriers for people traveling.

Upon agreeing to hear the case, the court served notices to the provincial home department and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), requesting their representatives to appear on August 15.

The service outage has disrupted communication, education, business transactions, and normal daily activities, resulting in increasing criticism from the general population, business sector, and political figures.

The disruption has made it impossible for students to participate in online classes or get ready for competitive tests, has crippled e-commerce activities, and has eliminated access to digital services utilized for financial operations.

Media professionals, government officials, and average citizens have been unable to utilize well-known apps like WhatsApp and Facebook for communication.

Numerous residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of a comprehensive explanation from either the federal or provincial governments, or the PTA.

Business leaders, including Abdul Rahim Kakar, President of the Central Anjuman Tajiran Balochistan (Registered), along with Hazrat Ali Achakzai, Mir Yaseen Mengal, and others have cautioned that the internet disruption is resulting in daily financial losses totaling millions of rupees.

They indicated that traders, the business community, and private business owners who depend on digital platforms are facing significant challenges.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator and experienced attorney Kamran Murtaza presented a motion in the Senate calling for a discussion on the internet shutdown, characterizing it as an urgent matter of public concern.