Quetta: Mobile, Internet Services Suspended
Quetta: internet and Mobile services suspended over security concerns
Mobile phone and internet services have been suspended for two days in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, due to the need to maintain law and order.
According to sources in the Home Department, this decision has been taken to avoid any possible untoward incident in the area.
Mobile and internet services will be restored at midnight on January 7. Meanwhile, local analysts have linked the move to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) protest, claiming that the government has taken this step to limit the JUI protest.
The protest is being held due to a dispute over re-polling results at 15 polling stations in PB-45 Quetta.
According to Form 47, PPP candidate Ali Madad Jatak has been declared the winner, while JUI claims that its candidate Usman Parkani has won. According to JUI, the Form 45 figures are in their favor, and they are refusing to accept the PPP’s victory.
According to local sources, the protests may intensify further, given that the government agencies have made additional security arrangements.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed at several important locations. Citizens have been instructed to avoid unnecessary travel to avoid any unpleasant situation.
This is not the first time mobile and internet services have been suspended during protests or political tensions, but this time the public reaction seems more intense.
Public and social circles call these suspensions a violation of civil liberties, while the government maintains that these measures are necessary for public safety.
