Mobile Data Services have been suspended in Balochistan since over three weeks to interfere with communication among separatist rebels behind a recent increase in attacks, officials said Friday.
An order issued Wednesday and seen by Reuters The services mentioned would remain suspended until the end of the month due to the law and the order situation in the province, which hosts key projects under China’s belt and road program.
“The service has been suspended because they [militants] Use it for coordinating and sharing information, ”said the provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind.
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Officials said there are 8.5 million mobile phone subscribers in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, but home to 15 million people out of a national population of 240 million.
Separatist groups seeking a larger proportion of profits from the resource -rich province have intensified attacks in recent months, especially on the military, which has launched an intelligence -based offensive against them.
The rebels are mainly targeted at Pakistani security forces and Chinese citizens, but have recently beaten the senior army’s officers. On Tuesday, an officer and two soldiers were killed in an explosion of the roads claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (bla).
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In March, a railway track burst and took more than 400 passengers hostage and killed 31 people, including 23 soldiers.
Last month, Pakistan also banned road travel to Iran with reference to security threats.
Balochistan is home to Gwadar Port, developed by China as part of an investment of $ 65 billion in Pakistan under his belt and road program.
Islamabad accuses Arch-Rival India of funding and supporting the rebels in an attempt to stake instability, a tax new Delhi denies.
