MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has begun a phased restoration of internet services across the region, with full broadband and cellular data access being restored in some districts while restrictions remain in several others.
The Home Department issued a notification directing the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior to initiate the restoration of broadband and cellular data services from Monday, August 31, according to a district-wise schedule.
In compliance with the notification, the phased restoration has now begun.
Under the phased plan, full broadband and cellular data services are to be restored in Neelum district, including Upper and Lower Neelum, as well as in Leepa Valley and Haveli district.
Broadband services are also being restored across Bhimber and Mirpur districts, allowing residents and businesses in these areas to resume normal internet-based activities.
The restoration remains limited in several other districts. In Muzaffarabad district, broadband access is being restored for educational institutions – including schools, colleges and universities – and banks. The same arrangement applies in Jhelum Valley, where general users remain without unrestricted broadband access.
In Bagh district, broadband services are available to educational institutions and banks within the municipal limits of Bagh and Dhirkot. Similarly, in Kotli district, access is restricted to educational institutions and banks.
However, internet services will remain suspended in Sehnsa, Sarsawa and Tattapani. No internet services are being restored in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti districts, where the suspension will continue.
The phased restoration has been welcomed by residents, particularly the bankers in the AJK capital, who said the resumption of connectivity would reduce pressure on branches that had been dealing with increased customer traffic because of the unavailability of digital banking services.
The suspension of internet services across AJK was imposed on June 5 amid a law-and-order situation that followed the government’s decision to proscribe the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
