Pakistan-administered Kashmir faces over 100 days of internet blackout amid reform protests

The telecommunications blackout in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir has now stretched beyond 100 days, according to Al Jazeera. Mobile data and broadband services were halted in early June after large‑scale protests erupted over calls for electoral reform, and the restrictions remain in place.

The protests began when opposition groups and civil‑society organisations demanded a revamp of the voting process that they say marginalises the region’s residents. Demonstrators argued that the current system, which limits the number of seats allocated to the area and imposes stringent candidate eligibility rules, undermines democratic representation. The unrest prompted authorities to impose an internet shutdown, a move they justified as necessary for public safety and to curb the spread of misinformation.

Internet shutdowns have become a recurring tool in the broader Kashmir conflict. Both Indian‑administered and Pakistan‑administered parts of the disputed territory have experienced periodic blackouts since the early 2000s, often coinciding with periods of heightened tension or political unrest. Under Pakistan’s legal framework, the government can suspend telecommunications services for up to 30 days, but extensions are frequently granted through successive orders, effectively prolonging the outage.

The prolonged loss of connectivity has taken a toll on everyday life. Residents report difficulties accessing online education, telemedicine, and banking services, while local businesses that rely on digital payments have suffered revenue losses. Journalists and human‑rights observers note that the shutdown hampers the ability to document and report on the protests, limiting both domestic and international awareness of the situation.

International bodies, including the United Nations, have previously urged all parties in the Kashmir dispute to respect freedom of expression and to avoid blanket internet bans. While no formal condemnation has been issued yet, human‑rights groups are monitoring the situation closely and have called for the restoration of services. The shutdown is set to expire in the coming weeks unless further extensions are issued, leaving the region’s populace in a state of uncertainty about when normal digital access will resume.