Internet services partially restored in parts of AJK after 48 days of suspension

Internet services were partially restored in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir AJK on Thursday after remaining suspended for 48 days following restrictions imposed following the banned Awami Joint Action Committee (JAAC) long march and sit-in in Rawalakot on June 5.

Internet services were restored on Thursday evening in Mirpur city, Afzalpur, Chakswari, Mangla Hamlet, Islamgarh, Kotli and Bhimber. However, connectivity is still not available in other parts of AJK, where restoration is expected to be carried out in stages before the general elections.

The prolonged suspension severely disrupted communications, online banking, commercial activity and public services, leaving thousands of consumers without internet access. Businesses dependent on digital payments have suffered financial losses, while students, freelancers, government agencies and professionals have found it difficult to carry out their routine work.

Although connectivity has resumed in parts of AJK, users continued to report intermittent disruptions and slow internet speeds.

The 48-day suspension sparked widespread frustration among residents, many of whom said the shutdown had hampered communication, delayed financial transactions and affected routine official work. The disruption also highlighted the region’s reliance on digital connectivity and raised concerns about the vulnerability of AJK’s communications infrastructure.

Officials said internet restoration would continue in stages, with services expected to resume in Muzaffarabad division in the next stage of the process.

Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party AJK Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin had written to AJK Chief Election Commissioner, retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, urging the authorities to restore internet services in AJK.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also raised the issue during his election public meetings in AJK, calling on the authorities to immediately restore internet services to facilitate businesses, students and the general public.

READ: Bilawal promises greater constitutional rights, calls for restoration of internet in AJK

Residents and members of the independent community welcomed the partial restoration, but urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and service providers to waive internet charges for June and July, arguing that consumers should not be charged for services that remained unavailable during the extended suspension.

Following the restoration of internet services in Mirpur division, Bilawal thanked the concerned and Mughal authorities, and urged the PTA to improve the internet speed in AJK.