QUETTA; The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Thursday that the restoration of mobile and internet services across the province is currently in progress.
The update came during the hearing of a case concerning the suspension of mobile and internet services in Balochistan. Authorities had shut down services in most districts, including Quetta, on August 6 citing security concerns, with the suspension scheduled to last until August 31.
Last week, the Balochistan Consumer Civil Society filed a petition, arguing that the blackout had disrupted online education, harmed businesses, and created communication hurdles for travellers. On August 16, the BHC directed the provincial government to reconsider the blanket suspension.
During today’s proceedings, a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Sardar Ahmad Halimi heard the case. The PTA stated that services had already been restored in Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, and several other cities, adding that complete restoration across the province could take up to two more hours.
However, petitioner Khair Muhammad, chairman of the Consumer Civil Society, told the court that internet access in Quetta was still not fully functional.
In response, the court warned that officials would be summoned again on August 25 if services were not completely restored by then. The hearing was adjourned until that date.
