QUETTA: The Balochistan Home Department has decided to shut down mobile phone in provincial capital on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
According to details, Home Department has confirmed that mobile service will remain shut down in various areas of Quetta on August 15. It has been decided to shut down mobile phone service in Quaidabad, Gowalmandi and Barori areas of Quetta.
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The Balochistan Home Department said that mobile phone service will be shut down from 9 am to 8 pm on August 15. Pillion riding on motorcycles is already banned in Quetta.
Earlier on Tuesday, The Balochistan High Court held an important hearing on the ongoing suspension of mobile internet services in the province, summoning the Secretary of the Interior and the Regional Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to appear in person.
The two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Rozi Khan Bareech and Justice Sardar Haleem Ahmed Haleemi, issued the order during proceedings on a petition challenging the mobile internet shutdown. The bench directed the petitioner to submit complete details of the case by August 15.
The petition was filed by the Chairman of the Consumer Civil Society, drawing the court’s attention to the legal aspects of the shutdown and its impact on users across Balochistan. The petitioner urged the court to examine whether the suspension complied with the law and to consider measures to protect the rights of consumers affected by the blackout.
The case comes amid growing public concern over the prolonged disruption of mobile data services, which authorities say is linked to security operations in certain parts of the province. The court’s directive for top officials to appear signals heightened judicial scrutiny of the matter.
