Balochistan Government Extends Mobile Data Service Suspension Until August 31st Over Security Concerns

Quetta, Pakistan:The Balochistan government has announced the continued suspension of mobile data services across the province until August 31st, citing security concerns. According to the spokesperson for the provincial government, Shahid Rind, the decision was made after assessing the ongoing security situation in the region.

A notification issued by the Provincial Ministry of Interior on August 6th ordered an immediate halt to mobile data services, which includes 3G and 4G networks, with the suspension set to last until the end of the month. The decision aims to mitigate potential threats and prevent any untoward incidents.

The notification highlights that the suspension of internet services was a precautionary measure taken in light of the current security situation. It also noted that terrorists were using internet services to coordinate and communicate with each other, which prompted the authorities to shut down these services.

Shahid Rind explained that protecting the lives of citizens took precedence over maintaining mobile data services, emphasizing that the lives of the public were more important than the continuation of 3G and 4G networks.

This move follows a series of security-related decisions in recent months. In a related development, the federal government had earlier imposed a travel ban for pilgrims traveling from Quetta to Iran and Iraq by road due to security threats. Furthermore, in March 2025, the **Jaffar Express**, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by terrorists near the district of Bolan, with nearly 400 passengers taken hostage.

Reports indicate that security forces launched a clearance operation to rescue the hostages. According to Radio Pakistan, law enforcement agencies managed to free 80 hostages, while the Director General of the ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, announced on March 12th that 33 terrorists were killed during the operation.

As security concerns persist in Balochistan, the provincial government and relevant agencies continue to take stringent measures to protect civilians and maintain law and order.