On August 8, 2025, the government of Pakistan suspended cell phone data services across Balochistan for three weeks in an effort to disrupt communication among militants responsible for recent attacks.
As reported by Reuters, Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the province, stated, “The service has been suspended because the militants use it for coordination and sharing information.” This measure, which will remain in effect until the end of August, aims to address the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, which is home to important Chinese Belt and Road projects.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest but sparsely populated province, with 15 million residents and 8.5 million cell subscribers. It borders Afghanistan and Iran. The suspension of road travel to Iran began in July 2025 due to security threats.
On night 7/8 August 2025, movement of a large group of khwarij, belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwaraj, who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was detected by the security forces in general area Sambaza, Zhob District of Balochistan.
Own troops… pic.twitter.com/kNneEMrZrW
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 8, 2025On August 7-8, Pakistani forces killed 33 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists who were attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan into the Zhob District. They also recovered weapons and explosives, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Islamabad attributes these attacks to Indian-backed insurgents with the intention of destabilising the region.
The province is home to Gwadar Port, a $65 billion Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative, making it a target for insurgent activities. Pakistan accuses India of funding groups like Fitna al-Khawarij to undermine international investments. The cell service suspension aims to thwart militant coordination, complementing ongoing sanitisation operations to eliminate remaining threats.
The suspension affects millions of subscribers, potentially disrupting daily life and commerce in Balochistan. While aimed at enhancing security, it may strain public access to communication. The measure underscores Pakistan’s efforts to protect strategic assets and counter terrorism amid regional tensions.
