Mobile data services across Balochistan have been suspended for over three weeks and will remain unavailable until August 31 due to security concerns, provincial officials confirmed on August 8 .
A notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department on August 6 ordered the immediate suspension of 3G and 4G services in the entire province, citing the “peculiar law and order situation” and the need “to avoid any untoward incident.”
“The service has been suspended because they [militants] use it for coordination and sharing information,” provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said.
Officials said Balochistan has 8.5 million mobile phone subscribers in a population of around 15 million. The decision follows a surge in attacks by separatist groups in recent months.
The sudden blackout has disrupted daily life, affecting students preparing for examinations, online business operators, and travelers dependent on digital communication. “We cannot prepare for the fast-approaching examinations because of the internet suspension,” said Saqiba Ali, a student preparing for the MDCAT exam. She urged the government to ensure uninterrupted internet access, calling it essential in today’s technology-driven world.
A local resident said, “It has affected our lives in every way. Even basic communication has become impossible.”
