In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including the city of Muzaffarabad, a prolonged internet shutdown and road blockades caused by weeks of protests have severely disrupted healthcare, education, business, and daily life. These events are unfolding as the region prepares for upcoming legislative elections.
Mobile data and broadband services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended since June 5, 2026. The situation is particularly difficult in the Poonch district, where protests continued after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee. This coalition demands the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. Weeks of unrest and clashes have resulted in casualties among both demonstrators and police officers.
The restrictions have negatively impacted various sectors of life. For instance, local construction worker Zaheer Iqbal shared that his family struggled to find fuel to take his brother, who was experiencing chest pain, to a hospital, eventually forcing them to transport him to Islamabad, 140 kilometers away. Education was also affected, as college principal Masood Khan noted that the internet outage delayed medical school entrance exams nationwide, which have remained suspended for over six weeks.
Financial losses for local businesses have been substantial. Printing company owner Malik Dawood estimated his losses between 15 million and 20 million Pakistani rupees, which is equivalent to approximately $54,000 to $72,000. Additionally, the shutdown paralyzed banking and electronic payment systems, forcing lawyer Usman Gul to borrow cash and postpone his wedding due to road closures and service disruptions.
Government officials offer a different perspective on the situation. Deputy Commissioner Munir Qureshi stated that network access remains available in certain locations, such as banks, and that roadblocks are confined to specific areas of Poonch. According to him, movement in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur remains unrestricted, and election campaigns continue, although residents in affected areas still report severe hardships ahead of the vote.
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