Mobile and internet services in Quetta were restored after being suspended for 20 hours due to security concerns following the by-elections.
The services were cut off at 11 PM on Sunday to maintain public safety amidst fears of unrest. This disruption affected both official work and caused inconvenience to local residents. However, the Home Department later confirmed the restoration, providing relief to the public.
The suspension of services in Quetta occurred during a two-day shutter-down strike organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in protest against alleged electoral fraud in the PB-45 Quetta VIII constituency re-polling.
Preliminary results showed PPP’s Ali Madad Khattak leading with 6,883 votes, followed by PMAP’s Nasarullah Zayrai with 4,122 votes, and JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani with 3,731 votes.
The strike followed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold an election tribunal ruling that mandated a recount at 15 polling stations due to irregularities, including fraud involving Form 45. JUI-F has pledged to continue their protests until their demands for electoral justice are addressed.
