Mobile services in Balochistan began resuming on Thursday following a decisive order by the Balochistan High Court (BHC), ending a 15-day blackout that had severely disrupted communication across the province.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) suspended mobile data services until August 31, citing security concerns. The move was challenged by Khair Muhammad Shaheen, chairman of Balochistan’s Consumer Civil Society, who filed a constitutional petition against the PTA and other authorities.
The petition stressed that mobile services are a lifeline for students, businesses, and educational institutions, and their suspension violated fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 9, 15, 18, 19-A, and 25 of the Constitution.
A two-member BHC bench, led by Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, initially heard the case on August 13, directing the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Awan, and Balochistan Advocate General, Adnan Basharat, to submit their responses.
On Thursday, the bench ruled that mobile internet services in Quetta must be restored within two hours. Following the order, PTA Director Jamil Ahmed confirmed that connectivity had been reinstated in Quetta and parts of Pishin and Chaman. Services in Dalbandin, Taftan, and other districts would follow shortly.
Ahmed noted that while the restoration process had begun, it would take time for systems to stabilize across the province. The court adjourned the hearing until August 25, warning that failure to fully comply could result in contempt charges against the PTA secretary.
The issue arises against the backdrop of deteriorating security in Balochistan, where militant groups have escalated attacks in recent months. Last November, the PTA suspended internet services in several districts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also citing security threats.
For now, the court’s ruling has brought relief to residents who rely heavily on mobile connectivity for the sake of work, education, and communication, reaffirming judicial oversight in safeguarding constitutional rights.
