The Balochistan government has directed the suspension of internet services across several districts during Eid Milad-un-Nabi. According to the official notification, mobile data services including 3G and 4G will remain unavailable from the evening of September 5 until 9 pm on September 6.
The suspension order also extends to PTCL and NTC connections in key areas. Internet access will be restricted in Quetta, Noshki, Khuzdar, Mastung, and Sibi, covering both mobile and fixed line services until the end of the religious processions.
Officials described the move as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order during large scale gatherings. The Home Department directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA to enforce the order, while essential government and white-listed numbers were granted exemptions.
This is not the first time internet services have been disrupted in the province. In recent months, similar blackouts were observed during Muharram processions and other sensitive religious occasions, with authorities citing potential security threats as the main justification.
However, repeated shutdowns have sparked criticism from civil society groups and digital rights advocates, who argue that blanket suspensions affect education, freelance work, and small businesses dependent on online access.
The Balochistan High Court has also previously urged the provincial government to adopt a more measured approach, ensuring that areas without credible threats are not unnecessarily deprived of connectivity says ProPakistan.
