The High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has issued notices to four authorities over the continuing suspension of internet services in the region, after a constitutional petition challenged the shutdown as unlawful. The case has drawn attention across the region as students, freelancers, and businesses continue to face disruption in their daily activities due to the prolonged blackout.
Justice Sardar Ijaz of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court heard the petition on Saturday and admitted it for preliminary hearing. Notices were issued to the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Council, the Special Communications Organization, and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. All four respondents have been directed to submit detailed replies by July 15, giving the authorities a limited window to respond formally to the allegations raised in the petition. The case is expected to draw further public interest given how long the suspension has already lasted and the range of institutions named in the proceedings.
The petition was filed on behalf of the petitioner by Advocate Syed Basit Gilani, who argued that the month long internet shutdown in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is unlawful and violates the fundamental rights of citizens. He told the court that the prolonged suspension has caused severe difficulties for the public, students, businesses, and people across various sectors of society. The legal argument centers on the idea that extended disruption of telecommunication services without a formal proclamation of emergency falls outside the scope of the powers granted to the relevant authorities, and that consumers were not given adequate notice or explanation before the shutdown began.
The crisis stems from an ongoing suspension of internet services across Azad Jammu and Kashmir since June 8, which has severely disrupted the daily lives of students, freelancers, and ordinary citizens. Residents reported being forced to travel entirely outside Azad Jammu and Kashmir just to access basic online services, with many crossing into neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to perform urgent digital tasks they could not complete at home. The disruption has affected a wide range of sectors including education, banking, and small businesses that depend on consistent connectivity for daily operations. Freelancers working with international clients have been particularly affected, as the inability to access stable internet has interrupted ongoing projects and communication with employers abroad. The outcome of the July 15 hearing is likely to determine whether the suspension continues or whether the court orders an immediate restoration of services, marking an important moment for digital rights and telecommunications policy in the region.
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