QUETTA : Senior lawmaker, Rehmat Saleh Baloch has strongly condemned the frequent mobile data and internet shutdowns in Balochistan, calling it a serious violation of human rights and a drag on development.
Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch, the Central Leader of the National Party and Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the Balochistan Assembly, voiced his criticism, stating that while the modern world is advancing digitally, the people of Balochistan are being pushed back into “Stone Age-like conditions.”
He highlighted the severe impact of these blackouts on daily life. Students are unable to attend online classes, submit assignments, or take exams, while young entrepreneurs and journalists face significant hurdles in their work. Baloch argued that disrupting the internet not only harms the economy but also stifles the free flow of information, which is vital for a democratic society.
The leader dismissed the government’s justification of these measures for security reasons, calling it evidence of “failed policies.” He stated that peace has never been achieved by blocking roads, building walls, or shutting down the internet, and that the situation has only worsened over the years.
He demanded an immediate end to what he termed “anti-technology measures,” urging the government to provide the people of Balochistan with the same basic facilities available in other provinces. Baloch emphasized that the internet is no longer a luxury but the “backbone” of modern education, business, and journalism.
He called for a review of government policies and a move towards a more modern, professional, and transparent strategy for maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile the Balochistan’s Minister for Planning and Development, Zahoor Buledi, has rejected reports suggesting discord within the provincial government, calling them baseless and misleading.
In this regard, Buledi focused on the fact that Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti is performing his duties with “exemplary commitment” and remains fully focused on the province’s development agenda.
The recent claims circulating on social media regarding internal divisions are “completely unfounded” and should not be taken seriously.
