Quetta's digital blackout ends

Cellular and internet services have been restored after more than 20 hours of suspension in Quetta.

The Balochistan government had suspended cellular and internet services in the district for two days as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) called for a shutter-down strike.

The protest had been announced against the alleged rigging in the re-polling on PB-45 Quetta VIII, where Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Mir Ali Madad Jattak secured victory with 6,883 votes, as per the unofficial results.

Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkNAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai came second with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F's Usman Pirkani finished third with 3,731 votes.

Previously, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Mir Ali Madad Jattak of PPP, upholding an election tribunal's decision to recount votes due to irregularities, including fraud in Form 45.

Adding to the tensions, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has announced a complete shutdown of national highways across Balochistan on Wednesday, January 8.