Broadband internet restored across AJK after 99-day suspension
AJK restores broadband and DSL services; 3G and 4G services remain unavailable
The internet has been restored across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after being suspended for 99 days, with DSL connectivity returning at midnight on Sunday. 3G and 4G mobile internet services will remain down for a few more days. The resumption of services is expected to provide relief to students, businesses, journalists, professionals, and households who were struggling to access online resources during the outage.
However, those reliant on mobile data will still lack connectivity, as the prolonged suspension has significantly impacted education, businesses, government operations, and digital services in the region. The restoration came after a 10-day deadline set by AJK High Court Judge Justice Shahid Bahar, who directed the government to reinstate services in that timeframe, with exceptions for areas where law and order conditions did not permit the return of services.
The decision follows months of internet disruption, which has severely affected various aspects of life in AJK. On August 31, in response to directives from AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, authorities partially restored internet services in several districts, including Mirpur, Neelum, and Haveli. Some areas, however, like Muzaffarabad, remained without full connectivity.
The suspension began on June 5 following a long march and sit-in organized by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee in Rawalakot. After about 48 days of disruption, services were partly restored, but Muzaffarabad experienced another suspension on July 25, following a strike and clashes. Prime Minister Gilani announced the internet restoration during his first media interaction in Muzaffarabad Press Club on August 31.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
