MIRPUR: Mobile phone and internet services began returning to Mirpur and surrounding areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday, ending a 45-day communication blackout that had disrupted daily life, businesses and public services.
Services Resume Ahead of AJK Elections
The restoration comes as AJK prepares for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections, which will be conducted in three phases beginning July 27.
Connectivity had remained suspended across Mirpur for the past 45 days, affecting residents’ access to communication, online services and digital transactions.
Bilawal Welcomes Restoration
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the development in a post on X, saying he had received reports that internet and digital connectivity in Mirpur would soon be fully restored.
He thanked the AJK PPP leadership and the Election Commission of AJK for their efforts in facilitating the restoration.
Bilawal also expressed hope that internet and mobile services in Muzaffarabad and other affected areas would be restored without further delay.
PPP Repeatedly Called for Restoration
During his election campaign in AJK, Bilawal repeatedly urged authorities to restore communication services across the region.
Addressing party workers in Mirpur on Wednesday, he criticised the prolonged suspension, saying ordinary citizens were suffering because both protesters and the state had effectively “punished” the public through the continued shutdown of internet and cellular networks.
Election Schedule Announced
Earlier this week, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced the election timetable:
- July 27: Mirpur Division
- August 2: Muzaffarabad Division
- August 10: Poonch Division
Authorities are expected to complete communication restoration ahead of the polling process.
Background of the Suspension
Mobile and internet services were suspended last month after protests led by the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) turned violent.
The demonstrations called for the abolition of 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Following the unrest, the AJK government declared JAAC a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), days before another planned protest over the same issue.
The restoration of communication services is expected to improve public access to information and facilitate election-related activities across the region.
