Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday stated that mobile and data services have been restored in Quetta and other cities in compliance with the orders of the provincial high court.

 

The development came as the high court resumed hearing a case regarding the suspension of mobile and internet services in the province. 

 

On August 6, citing security concerns, authorities had suspended mobile internet services in several Balochistan's districts, including the capital Quetta, with the blackout scheduled to last until August 31.

 

Last week, the Balochistan Consumer Civil Society filed a petition, contending that the disruption severely affected online learning, disrupted business activities, and created communication hurdles for travellers.

 

At the outset of today’s hearing, PTA authorities apprised the court that mobile and data services had been restored in some cities. “It may take two hours to fully restore mobile and internet services (across the province),” PTA authorities told the court.

 

When the petitioner, Balochistan’s Consumer Civil Society chairman Khair Muhammad, told the court that mobile phone internet service was not fully restored in Quetta, the court remarked: “Concerned officials will be summoned again on August 25 if mobile and internet services are not restored.”