December 1, 2025
Staff Report
Imagine going a day without the internet. Now imagine living in a place where signals vanish, connections slow to a crawl, and sudden shutdowns are not occasional but a way of life. For millions across Balochistan, this digital darkness has become routine — a mix of fragile infrastructure and repeated government suspensions that keep the province and its people isolated from the rest of the country. Today again, in an announcement, security sources said that internet services will remain shut for the next 48 hours in Chagai owing to the security situation there.
While Pakistan’s digital footprint expands each year, Balochistan’s seems to be fading away with it being cut off so frequently and for so long. Residents from Gwadar to Kech, Awaran, and Washuk still struggle with basic connectivity. Even in areas marketed as economic hubs, internet access is patchy and often collapses without warning.
The most recent large-scale shutdown occurred in November when the Balochistan government suspended mobile internet services across all 36 districts. The provincial Home Department cited the prevailing security situation as the reason.
— Govt. of Balochistan (@dpr_gob) November 12, 2025
Poor Infrastructure
Balochistan’s digital problems are twofold. The first is infrastructure. Large parts of the province still lack fibre-optic coverage, and existing towers reach only small pockets of terrain. Where 3G and 4G networks exist, signals are often too weak or unstable for online classes, mobile banking, or video calls. Connectivity frequently collapses with load-shedding, weather changes, or network congestion.
Pakistan’s overall internet penetration stands at 45 percent, but in Balochistan, approximately 15 percent of people have access. The lack of fibre-optic networks remains a key factor: a 2020 report found that 60 percent of the province did not have access to these essential cables, and little has changed since.
(1/4) Nearly 60% of Balochistan does not have internet coverage.
READ MORE: https://t.co/W3k9q2CJnT#ecommerce #eretail #pakistan #internet #digitaldivide #karachi #sindh #balochistan #punjab #islamabad pic.twitter.com/20nctQORZX
— Macro Pakistani (@MacroPakistani) November 30, 2020
However, on November 28, the Balochistan government announced a major digital connectivity initiative aimed at providing high-speed internet to educational institutions and government offices across the province.
According to the Information Technology Department, the project will involve the installation of fibre-optic cables and a Digital Radio System to deliver fast and reliable internet access to high schools, other educational institutions, and government offices, marking a significant step toward bridging the province’s digital divide.
Security concerns or deliberate silencing?
The second issue is repeated government shutdowns. Internet services in Balochistan are frequently suspended during heightened security alerts or militant activity. These blanket shutdowns cut off entire districts, stopping communication for everyone — students, journalists, traders, patients, and families. Each suspension weakens the province’s already fragile access.
Authorities point to fragile security as the reason for the shutdowns. But locals remain unconvinced. They note that similar threats exist elsewhere in the country, yet the internet continues to function. Many believe they are deliberately deprived of connectivity to silence dissent and restrict the flow of information.
Residents say the unpredictability is the worst part. Services vanish without notice and are often restored quietly after midnight. There is no public timeline, no explanation, and no accountability. In a province already facing severe underdevelopment, this uncertainty deepens the sense of isolation.
Touqeer Ahmed, a resident of Gwadar, sums it up. “Some days having internet feels like a privilege. Outages have become so routine that families now keep physical copies of forms, IDs, and photos because even a simple upload can be impossible for days.”
Impact on daily life and work
In many districts, mobile internet is entirely unavailable. In August, services remained suspended for a month in Quetta. No reasons were shared publicly, and later the PTA stated the disruption was due to “security concerns.” The shutdown affected a population of more than 20 million.
For journalists, the impact is severe. Reporting from conflict-hit areas is already risky, but shutdowns make it nearly impossible to send stories to outlets on time. Much of their work goes unreported because connectivity is unreliable or completely blocked.
Hafeezullah Sherani, a journalist in Quetta, describes the daily challenges.
“Since my work relies on the internet, coordinating and conducting interviews over WhatsApp, these shutdowns make my life extremely difficult. Sometimes, it becomes impossible to send or upload reports, and even contacting sources is a struggle.”
Pakistan claims to push toward digitalisation, automation, and tech-driven governance. Yet Balochistan — the country’s largest province by land — remains left behind, disconnected both literally and politically. Until meaningful investment builds stable infrastructure, and until shutdowns are no longer used as a blanket response, millions will remain on the wrong side of the digital divide, watching the rest of the country move online while they remain in the dark.