Internet services restored in Muzaffarabad after 53 days

Restoration comes ahead of the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in Muzaffarabad Division

Internet services were restored in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday night, 53 days after broadband connectivity was suspended on June 6, bringing relief to residents, businesses, journalists and other users who had struggled to access online services.

Broadband internet services were restored at around 10pm on Wednesday and were functioning normally, while mobile data services continued to face connectivity problems.

The prolonged disruption affected communication, digital banking, businesses and journalists covering political and electoral developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The restoration came ahead of the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in Muzaffarabad Division.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is currently in Muzaffarabad, had called for the restoration of internet services in the AJK capital during a media talk, urging that connectivity be restored before polling in the division.

READ: Bilawal promises greater constitutional rights, urges restoration of internet in AJK

The internet shutdown had remained a major concern for residents and media organisations, particularly as the region entered a crucial phase of the electoral process.