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

Both provinces have recently suffered a spate of terrorist attacks, with more than 70 lives lost in different parts of Balochistan in the past three months.

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

“The general public is hereby informed that as per the directives of the authorized departments, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas of Balochistan,” the statement said.

It maintains that the temporary suspension is intended to ensure public safety and security

However, the PTA did not mention the areas in Balochistan where mobile phone and internet services were suspended.

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

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

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

Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan had earlier briefed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti about the proposed plan.

The Chief Secretary said that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to effectively tackle cases of terrorism, crime, extortion and smuggling with focus on improving enforcement measures.

Published in Dawn, November 16, 2024