Islamabad, August 8: Pakistan has suspended mobile internet services across Balochistan for three weeks, citing the need to disrupt communications among separatist groups blamed for a wave of deadly attacks in the province.
The blackout, which began earlier this week, affects roughly 8.5 million subscribers in Pakistan’s largest but sparsely populated province. Balochistan spans a vast area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, but is home to only about 15 million people out of the country’s 240 million population.
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said the suspension was aimed at undermining the ability of separatists to coordinate attacks. “They use it for coordination and sharing information,” he told reporters on Friday.
The federal order, issued Wednesday, will remain in effect until the end of the month. It comes amid heightened security operations targeting insurgents who have intensified assaults on the Pakistani military, senior officers, and Chinese interests linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s $65 billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Long-running insurgency
Balochistan has faced a simmering separatist insurgency for decades, with armed groups demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of profits from the province’s vast natural resources. While their attacks have traditionally targeted the military and Chinese nationals, recent strikes have increasingly singled out high-ranking army officers.
Earlier this week, the military confirmed that an officer and two soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) — the most prominent and well-armed of the separatist factions, designated a terrorist organisation by Pakistan. The BLA has also claimed responsibility for multiple high-profile attacks in recent months, including those on senior officers.
In March, the group staged one of its deadliest operations in years — blowing up a railway track and taking more than 400 passengers hostage. The assault killed 31 people, including 23 soldiers.
Strategic importance and geopolitical tensions
Balochistan’s Gwadar Port, developed with Chinese investment, is a cornerstone of CPEC and a strategic hub for Beijing’s trade routes. However, repeated insurgent attacks have slowed development and raised security concerns for foreign investors.
Pakistan accuses arch-rival India of funding and arming separatist groups to destabilise the region — allegations New Delhi firmly denies. The tensions come as Islamabad tries to attract more international investment into Balochistan’s infrastructure and resource projects.
The mobile internet shutdown follows last month’s decision to ban road travel to Iran due to security threats. Authorities say these measures are temporary but necessary to curb the growing wave of insurgent activity.