Islamabad, Jan 6: Mobile phone and internet services in Quetta have been suspended for two days starting Sunday night, with services expected to resume on Tuesday, January 7, at midnight. The suspension, attributed to security concerns, comes as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) calls for a province-wide shutter-down strike to press for their demands.
Internet disruptions in Pakistan have resulted in massive economic losses. A report by Top10VPN.com highlighted that Pakistan incurred $1.62 billion in financial losses in 2024 due to internet shutdowns, making it the hardest-hit country globally, surpassing nations like Sudan and Myanmar.
The report documented 18 deliberate shutdowns in 2024, lasting 9,735 hours and affecting nearly 83 million users. These disruptions, often linked to elections, protests, and “information control,” have significantly impacted the country’s digital economy and societal communication.
The most expensive disruption was the suspension of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) since February 18, costing $1.34 billion. A significant shutdown in Balochistan during protests in Gwadar from July 16 to August 21 caused losses of $11.8 million over 864 hours.
Frequent internet shutdowns have drawn criticism from civil society and business leaders, who argue that such measures not only stifle freedom of expression but also hinder economic activities, particularly in the digital sector.
The recent shutdown in Quetta, though temporary, adds to growing concerns about the broader impact of these disruptions on Pakistan’s already struggling economy.
