QUETTA: The Baloc­histan High Court on Wednesday ordered the immediate restoration of mobile internet services, leading to the resumption of connectivity in Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Taftan and Qila Abdullah after a 16-day suspension.

The division bench, headed by Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, was hearing a constitutional petition filed by Balochistan Consumer Civil Society Chairman Khair Muhammad Shaheen against the suspension of mobile data and public transport.

The judges questioned officials of the Pakistan Telecommunication Auth­o­rity (PTA) and the provincial Home Department for failing to restore services despite previous court orders, warning that contempt proceedings could be initiated. The court rejected the officials’ request for more time and directed that services be restored within two hours.

When the hearing resumed after a recess, the PTA and Home Department informed the bench that mobile internet had been restored in Quetta, Pishin, Chaman and Taftan, while other districts would be reconnected in phases. The petitioner also pointed out that Qila Abdullah, where no major security concerns exist, had seen partial restoration.

The hearing was adjou­rned until Aug 25, with the Chief Justice Barrech adding that if mobile internet was not restored by that date, the PTA secretary would be found in contempt of court, according to a Dawn.com report.

Speaking to reporters, Khair Muhammad Sha­heen welcomed the decision, calling the restoration in these districts a positive step and expressing hope that mobile services would soon resume across the entire province.

Earlier this month, mobile data services in the province were suspended until Aug 31 over “security reasons”.

Mr Shaheen argued in his petition that mobile phone services were a basic mode of communication for businessmen, students, educational institutions and others. It added that the suspension constituted a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 9 (security of person), Article 15 (freedom of movement, etc), Article 18 (freedom of trade, business and profession), Article 19-A (right to information) and Article 25 (equality of citizens) of the Constitution.

In recent months, the security situation in Balochistan has worsened, as militants, long involved in a low-level insurgency, have stepped up the frequency and intensity of their attacks.

In November last year, the PTA announced the government’s decision to suspend internet and mobile services with immediate effect in many districts of Balochistan to ensure public safety, in the wake of terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2025