Internet shutdown brings life, business to a halt in Balochistan

QUETTA: Mobile internet and data services remain suspended for the third consecutive day across most districts of Balochistan, including the provincial capital Quetta, as authorities cite “security concerns” for the blackout expected to continue from 6 August to 31 August. The shutdown has disrupted communication, education, business transactions, and daily life, drawing mounting criticism from the public, business community, and political representatives.

The disruption has left students unable to attend online classes or prepare for competitive examinations, paralyzed e-commerce operations, and cut off digital services used for financial transactions. Media workers, government employees, and ordinary citizens have also been unable to use popular apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook for communication. Many residents have voiced frustration at the lack of a detailed explanation from the federal or provincial governments or the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (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 warned that the blackout is causing daily losses in the millions of rupees. They said traders, the business community, and private entrepreneurs reliant on online platforms are facing unprecedented hardship.

“The government talks about promoting technology and improving the IT sector, but at the first sign of trouble, it shuts down the internet and digital services — this is a failure of governance,” the traders said, calling for immediate restoration of services to ease public hardship and revive economic activity. Public circles described the move as an additional burden on a province already struggling with economic and security challenges. “The internet shutdown has worsened people’s problems when they can least afford it,” they said.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Senator and senior lawyer Kamran Murtaza has submitted a motion in the Senate for debate on the internet shutdown, terming it a matter of urgent public importance.