New Delhi/Quetta, 13 November (Udaipur Kiran). Internet services across 36 districts of Balochistan will remain suspended until 16 November due to security concerns, the provincial Home Department announced. The restrictions come amid a heightened security alert issued from 12 to 16 November.
This is the fifth consecutive day that the Jaffar Express train, which runs between Quetta and Peshawar, has remained suspended. Transport services along the Loralai section of National Highway N-70 have also been halted until 14 November.
According to officials, internet services will remain shut in all rural districts of the province, though Quetta has been exempted from the order. However, residents complained that several parts of the capital city still faced signal issues and connectivity problems.
Citing law and order concerns, the provincial government has temporarily suspended the movement of taxis and private vehicles along the Loralai stretch of N-70 until 14 November.
On Wednesday, all educational institutions in Quetta Cantonment remained closed. Schools and colleges in the area will stay shut from 12 to 16 November for security reasons.
Pakistan Railways confirmed that the suspension of the Jaffar Express would continue until 13 November (Thursday), with the possibility of an extension. Additionally, the Bolan Mail service to Karachi has also been halted. Officials said train operations from Balochistan to other provinces have been paused due to “operational and security reasons.”
Authorities have not provided a timeline for the restoration of internet or railway services but stated that these measures aim to “ensure public safety and maintain order.”
According to Dunya News, the Balochistan government imposed these restrictions in response to potential terror threats. The decision is part of strict security measures intended to curb rising violence in the region.
In recent months, Balochistan has witnessed a significant surge in attacks targeting civilians, creating an atmosphere of widespread fear. The internet shutdown is also expected to worsen the economic impact. A report published in January 2025 highlighted that Pakistan suffered the highest financial losses globally from internet and social media shutdowns in the previous year, amounting to USD 1.62 billion, according to figures cited by Dawn.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
