QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court has ordered the restoration of mobile internet services in Quetta, and implementation of the directive has already begun.
The order came during a hearing on a constitutional petition challenging the suspension of mobile internet. Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the court that internet services in Dalbandin, Pishin, Chaman, and Taftan would be restored within two hours.
Chief Justice Rozi Bareech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi heard the case and adjourned further proceedings until 25 August. Following the court’s directive, mobile internet services in Quetta began resuming after two weeks of suspension. The services had been cut off on 6 August due to security concerns.
Earlier, on 15 August, the Balochistan High Court had also ordered the restoration of mobile internet services while directing authorities to review their decision to keep the suspension in place until 31 August.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Rozi Bareech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, heard arguments in the presence of the Advocate General Balochistan, the Additional Attorney General, and senior officials of the Home Department.
The Advocate General argued that the suspension was imposed due to security threats during Chehlum, and the provincial government decided to keep mobile data services blocked across Balochistan until 31 August.
The court questioned whether security threats existed throughout the entire province. In response, the Advocate General and the Additional Chief Secretary admitted that the risks were limited to specific areas.
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During the hearing, the court also ordered the provincial government to immediately withdraw its notification suspending public transport services.
