QUETTA: The Pakistan Telecommu­nication Authority (PTA) on Friday announced the government’s decision to suspend internet and mobile services with an immediate effect in many districts of Balochistan to ensure public safety, in the wake of terrorist attacks in the province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Both provinces recently experienced a series of terrorism attacks, with over 70 lives lost in different parts of Balochistan in the last three months.

According to the authorities concerned, 26 people were killed and 62 injured in a suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station on Nov 9.

“The general public is hereby informed that, under the directives of authorised departments, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas of Balochistan,” the statement explained.

Says temporary suspension is aimed at ensuring public safety and security

However, the PTA did not mention the areas of Balochistan where the mobile and internet services have been suspended.

According to reports, mobile and internet services have been suspended in various areas of Makran, Awaran, Chagai, Kharan, parts of Khuzdar, Kalat, Bolan, Harnai, Duki and some other areas which witnessed rising acts of terrorism in recent weeks.

“To ensure public safety and security, the mobile and internet services are suspended,” the PTA said.

On the other hand, the Balochistan government decided to develop a provincial action plan to significantly enhance governance and security across the province.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan earlier briefed a high-level meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, on the proposed plan.

The chief secretary said that a comprehensive strategy was being developed to effectively counter terrorism, crime, extortion and smuggling cases with a focus on enhancing enforcement measures.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2024