Internet blackout eases in Balochistan after court pressure
Mobile and internet services have been restored in several cities of Balochistan following the orders of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed on Thursday.
The restoration came after the court resumed hearing a case against the suspension of digital services in the province. Internet access had been blocked in most districts, including Quetta, Chaman and Pishin, since August 6 due to what authorities described as security concerns.
The suspension was originally scheduled to continue until August 31. However, last week, Balochistan’s Consumer Civil Society filed a petition arguing that the shutdown had disrupted online education, hurt small businesses, and made it difficult for travellers to stay connected.
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On August 16, a bench headed by Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech directed the provincial government to reconsider the blanket ban.
During Thursday’s hearing, PTA officials informed the court that connectivity had been restored in major cities and would be fully restored across the province within hours.
The petitioner, Khair Muhammad, told the judges that service in Quetta remained patchy. The court warned that officials would be called again on August 25 if access was not fully restored by then.
