Blanket Mobile and Internet Shutdown Is Not a Solution, Says Senator Kamran Murtaza
Quetta: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza has expressed serious concern over the continued suspension of mobile phone and data services in Nushki city and surrounding areas, calling for the immediate restoration of communication services.
In a statement, Senator Murtaza urged the federal and relevant authorities to publicly explain the reasons behind the shutdown and restore mobile and internet services without delay to ease the difficulties faced by residents.
He said the prolonged suspension had caused serious problems for thousands of citizens. In the modern era, mobile phones and the internet are no longer merely conveniences but essential services used to stay connected with families, businesses, educational institutions, government offices, banking systems, and emergency medical services.
Murtaza said the shutdown was disrupting online education and causing financial losses to the business community. Online banking, digital payments, e-commerce, government online services, and other communication systems were also being affected, creating unnecessary hardship and anxiety among citizens.
He said that if there were specific security concerns in an area, effective and targeted measures should be adopted to address them. However, depriving an entire city or a large area of mobile and internet services was not an appropriate solution.
The senator maintained that citizens should not be deprived of communication, access to information, and freedom of expression in the name of security. He warned that communication disruptions could particularly affect patients, students, traders, government employees, transporters, travelers, and ordinary citizens.
He also highlighted the risks during emergencies, when residents may be unable to contact family members or emergency and rescue services in time, potentially putting lives at risk.
Murtaza called on the government to take citizens into confidence regarding the suspension in Nushki, clearly state the reasons for the decision, and, if the shutdown was security-related, inform the public about its expected duration and alternative arrangements.
He urged the authorities to adopt a transparent policy rather than leaving citizens in uncertainty, while taking into account fundamental rights, business needs, and the public interest.
The senator said the prolonged suspension of mobile and internet services was increasing public anxiety and called for urgent measures to restore services in Nushki and its surrounding areas.
He concluded that the state’s responsibility was not only to ensure law and order but also to fully protect the constitutional and fundamental rights of citizens.
