Mobile and Data Services Restored in Balochistan Following Court Order

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that mobile and data services have been reactivated in Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, and other cities, adhering to directives from the Balochistan High Court (BHC).

This action occurred as the BHC continued its review of a case concerning the suspension of mobile and internet connectivity across the province.

On August 6, authorities had previously halted mobile internet operations in the majority of Balochistan’s districts, including Quetta, the provincial capital, citing security reasons. This suspension was initially scheduled to remain in effect until August 31.

Last week, a petition was submitted by the Balochistan Consumer Civil Society, asserting that the shutdown had a detrimental impact on online learning, commercial activities, and communications for travelers.

On August 16, the BHC instructed the provincial administration to re-evaluate its broad suspension of mobile and data services.

A BHC panel, consisting of Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Sardar Ahmad Halimi, gave these instructions during a hearing addressing the petition against the suspension.

At the start of today’s session, PTA representatives informed the court that mobile and data services had been reinstated in specific locations.

The PTA officials stated to the court, “Complete restoration of mobile and internet services (throughout the province) may require up to two hours.”

Khair Muhammad, chairman of Balochistan’s Consumer Civil Society and the petitioner in the case, informed the court that mobile internet access had not been fully restored in Quetta.

In response, the court noted: “If mobile and internet services are not operational by August 25, the relevant authorities will be summoned again.”

The hearing was then adjourned by the court until August 25.