Balochistan Faces Prolonged Digital Blackout: Mobile Internet Still Down in 36 Districts, Students and Businesses Suffer, Thousands of Youth Unemployed

Quetta: Balochistan is experiencing a prolonged mobile internet shutdown, with the digital blackout continuing across the province except for specific 5-kilometer zones in Quetta and a few other areas. Initially, the provincial government had limited the shutdown until October 16, but it has since been extended. According to official figures, mobile internet services in Quetta alone have been suspended for over 60 days since the formation of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti’s government.

From the outset, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has maintained that the internet fuels terrorism in Balochistan, and his administration’s first response to even small protests, demonstrations, or security threats has been to suspend internet services. Critics argue that this policy effectively deprives the public of basic digital rights and suppresses dissent arising from governmental failures.

The extended internet suspension has severely impacted the social and economic life of the province. Students’ education has been disrupted, particularly online classes and research work.

Thousands of young people and professionals who rely on digital platforms, e-commerce, and online services have become unemployed due to the continuous internet blackout, further worsening the economic situation in an already fragile province.

Citizens and political parties have called on the government to address security challenges with professional and modern strategies rather than imposing technology restrictions and to immediately restore the public’s fundamental digital rights.