QUETTA:
The Balochistan government on Friday suspended mobile internet services in Quetta for 24 hours in response to intelligence-based security alerts, provincial interior ministry officials confirmed.
The decision, aimed at preventing possible unrest, will remain in force until midnight. Authorities said the move was part of broader efforts to maintain public order in the provincial capital, where security has been placed on high alert.
The city’s Red Zone – home to key government offices and facilities – has been heavily fortified, with police, the Frontier Corps (FC) and paramilitary units deployed to hotspots in Quetta.
The move followed a letter to the Interior Ministry, in which the provincial government requested the suspension of 3G and 4G services in Quetta on October 31, citing a “special public order situation” and increased threat perception.
Officials said the move was necessary to protect public life and property given security concerns. However, the outage disrupted the daily lives of thousands of citizens, including students, traders and professionals who rely heavily on digital connectivity for their work and studies.
This is not the first time the province has faced communications restrictions. Many residents have expressed their frustration, urging the government to explore less disruptive alternatives during these emergency measures.
Mobile data services were previously suspended for over two weeks in August before being restored following an order from the Balochistan High Court. The latest suspension comes amid deteriorating security conditions in the province.
