The Balochistan High Court has sought an explanation from Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan and Balochistan Advocate General Adnan Basharat regarding the ongoing suspension of mobile internet and data services in the province. The disruption, initially announced last week to continue until August 31, has already left certain areas without service for over a month. A notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department on August 6 cited “peculiar law and order” concerns as the justification. Former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik expressed concern over the extended blackout, linking it to the deteriorating security environment.
The court’s intervention follows a petition filed by Khair Muhammad Shaheen, chairman of Balochistan’s Consumer Civil Society, which named PTA as a respondent. The petition argues that internet access is a fundamental requirement for students, businesses, and educational institutions, and that its suspension lacks valid justification. Shaheen contended that the decision infringes upon constitutional rights, specifically referencing Article 9 on security of person, Article 15 on freedom of movement, Article 18 on freedom of trade, Article 19-A on the right to information, and Article 25 on equality of citizens. The petition further noted that inter-district and inter-provincial bus services had also been halted, compounding hardships for residents.
A two-member bench led by Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Sardar Ahmad Haleemi determined that the petition raised substantial concerns that warranted formal responses. Notices were issued to AGP Awan and AG Basharat, directing them to submit replies before the next hearing on Friday. The court warned that if the officials failed to respond, the secretaries of the interior and information technology ministries would be required to appear in person.
This legal challenge comes against the backdrop of repeated service disruptions in Balochistan. In November last year, PTA suspended internet and mobile connectivity in multiple districts of Balochistan following a series of terrorist incidents in the province and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While the government has defended these shutdowns as necessary security measures, critics argue that such blanket restrictions hinder daily life, disrupt economic activity, and disproportionately impact those who depend on digital access for education and commerce. The current proceedings are set to test the balance between national security considerations and citizens’ rights to communication and information access.
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