QUETTA (MNN); Authorities in Quetta on Saturday suspended mobile data services across the city and temporarily halted all train operations as heightened security measures remain in place following militant attacks and ongoing threats, disrupting travel and communications for residents and travellers.
Mobile internet and data services were cut indefinitely in Quetta for security reasons, leaving many people without access to mobile-based communication and online services.
Pakistan Railways has also suspended all train services operating from Quetta, both within Balochistan and to other parts of the country. This includes key trains such as the Jaffer Express, Bolan Mail and Chaman Passenger, as well as services on the Zahedan section.
Railway officials said that passengers on these trains have been informed that their tickets will be refunded due to the suspension of operations.
The Jaffer Express, which was travelling from Peshawar to Quetta, was stopped at Jacobabad Station in Sindh after failing to receive security clearance. More than 400 passengers on board had to return, and many were forced to seek alternative transportation at higher costs.
Earlier disruptions in Balochistan have at times included road closures on key highways for security reasons. For example, mobile internet was suspended across all 36 districts of the province in November and transport services on the National Highway N-70 at the Loralai section were halted until mid-November last year due to security alerts.
Separately, in past months mobile internet has been repeatedly suspended in Quetta and other districts such as Mastung, Pishin, Chaman, Killa Saifullah, Zhob and Loralai during security operations, affecting communications for students, businesses and travellers.
At present, no official announcement from Punjab authorities regarding road closures in connection with the Quetta security situation has been reported.
Authorities have not yet indicated when the suspended services and transport operations will be restored, and residents are advised to plan travel with caution
