Internet services have been restored in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday night, 53 days after connectivity was suspended on June 6, bringing relief to residents, businesses, journalists and other users who had struggled to access online services throughout the shutdown.
Services came back around 10pm and were functioning normally, though mobile data connections continued to face problems.
The prolonged disruption had affected communication, digital banking, businesses and journalists covering political and electoral developments across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Its restoration comes just ahead of the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in Muzaffarabad Division, after the shutdown had remained a major concern for residents and media organisations as the region entered a crucial stage of the electoral process.
More than 1.248 million voters are set to cast ballots in this phase of the AJK elections on August 2, with polling scheduled across 21 constituencies, including nine seats in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees living in Pakistan.
The AJK Election Commission said that 351 candidates are contesting this phase and confirmed that all arrangements for polling have been finalised, with enhanced security measures put in place to ensure the process runs peacefully and transparently.
Muzaffarabad, the AJK capital, has once again turned into the centre of political activity as campaigns enter their final stretch, with parties intensifying rallies, corner meetings and voter outreach across the city and surrounding districts ahead of polling day.
