MUZAFFARABAD: PPP Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin on Wednesday urged the region’s chief election commissioner (CEC) to take up the issue of the prolonged internet shutdown with the relevant authorities, arguing that it was adversely affecting electioneering and voters’ access to information ahead of the upcoming polls.

In a letter addressed to CEC retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, Mr Yasin said the suspension of internet services in various parts of AJK had severely hampered the election campaign.

He maintained that in the modern era, internet access played a vital role in election campaigns by enabling political parties and candidates to communicate their manifestos and programmes to the electorate and by ensuring that the public received accurate and timely information.

The PPP leader said the continued shutdown had deprived voters of access to authentic information while creating space for rumours and misinformation that could adversely affect the electoral environment.

Yasin urged the Election Commission to coordinate with the relevant authorities to secure the immediate restoration of internet services across AJK to ensure transparency in the electoral process.

Yasin told Dawn that the letter had been faxed to the CEC’s office and also sent by registered post. Copies were also forwarded to the chief secretary and the focal person to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who has criticised the internet shutdown and called for its restoration.

Internet services have remained suspended across AJK since June 5 under government orders issued in the wake of a law and order situation.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026