Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday informed the Senate that the ongoing suspension of mobile internet in Balochistan is solely on security grounds in light of credible threats.
Responding to a calling attention notice regarding the suspension of mobile internet across 36 districts of Balochistan, he said the decision was undertaken as per the process outlined in the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996. He said the request for the suspension had originated from the Interior Ministry based on the recommendations of relevant security stakeholders. It was then forwarded to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for implementation, he added.
Chaudhry noted the mobile internet suspension would continue until Aug. 31, adding that telephone services and broadband internet services remained unaffected. “All airlines, including PIA and private carriers, are fully functional in Balochistan, while road and rail links to Quetta and other cities remain open,” he said.
“These decisions are taken for specific locations where credible security threats exist, not in unrelated areas,” he maintained, adding the measure aimed to prevent loss of life amidst ongoing terrorism in the province.
To concerns regarding compensation for prepaid internet packages unutilized during the suspension period, the minister said he would raise the matter with the relevant ministry. “I commit to the House that unused credit for the days affected by the suspension will be carried forward to the next month so that people, especially students, do not suffer financial loss,” he added.
Earlier this month, mobile internet was suspended in Balochistan from Aug. 6-31, with authorities citing security concerns. The restive province has faced several major terrorist attacks in the recent past, including the Jaffer Express hijacking in March. Earlier this week, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that security forces killed 50 terrorists during a 4-day operation targeting banned militant groups.