QUETTA: Authorities in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province have suspended mobile Internet services across all 36 districts ahead of the country’s 78th Independence anniversary, citing security concerns and threats of attacks by separatist militants.
The move comes amid heightened tensions in the province, where separatist violence tends to spike during August, particularly around national celebrations.
The blackout will remain in place until August 31, a senior government official, privy to the decision, told Arab News on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Due to security concerns and terrorist threats, the government has suspended mobile Internet in all 36 districts of Balochistan,” he said.
The move comes in anticipation of potential unrest during the August 14 national holiday in Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and has long been the center of a low-level separatist insurgency.
