South Waziristan residents protest 10-day mobile, internet blackout ahead of Eid
Synopsis
Residents of Upper South Waziristan have been cut off from mobile and internet services for 10 days — unable to reach hospitals, family, or markets ahead of Eidul Azha. A tower fault is the reported cause, but no repair timeline exists. Meanwhile, Balochistan students are blocking highways over the same issue, signalling that Pakistan's connectivity crisis in peripheral regions is reaching a breaking point.
Key Takeaways
Residents of Sarvekai and Barwand in Upper South Waziristan protested on Monday against a 10-day mobile and internet blackout.
A technical fault at the Srarogha Ahmadwam tower — the central hub for three local mobile towers — reportedly caused the outage.
Protesters said the disruption has affected emergency medical communication, trade, and student access to online education, with Eidul Azha approaching.
In a separate protest, students at the University of Balochistan sub-campus in Mastung blocked the national highway over a prolonged internet shutdown and delays in the PM's Youth Laptop Scheme .
No official repair timeline or government response has been issued for either protest.
Residents of Sarvekai and Barwand areas in Pakistan's Upper South Waziristan district took to the streets on Monday to protest a 10-day disruption of mobile network signals and internet services, demanding the immediate restoration of communication facilities, according to local media reports. The demonstration drew a large turnout of local tribesmen, youth, and traders, underscoring widespread frustration over the prolonged connectivity outage.
What Triggered the Outage
According to local sources cited in reports, a technical fault at the Srarogha Ahmadwam tower — the central link for all three mobile phone towers operating in the region — caused the cascading disruption of mobile network and internet connectivity across the area. No official timeline for repairs has been announced, local media noted.
Impact on Daily Life and Essential Services
Protesters said the blackout had severely disrupted everyday life across multiple domains. Residents reported being unable to contact relatives and family members in other parts of Pakistan and abroad, a hardship felt especially acutely with Eidul Azha approaching. Traders flagged financial losses from the inability to conduct internet-based transactions, while students said they could not access online educational material or digital learning platforms. In the most alarming cases, protesters said patients and those requiring emergency assistance could not reach hospitals, rescue services, or family members during urgent situations.
Balochistan Students Add to Pakistan's Connectivity Protests
The South Waziristan demonstration is not an isolated incident. Last week, students of the University of Balochistan sub-campus staged a protest in Mastung district of Balochistan province, blocking the national highway outside Mastung's Degree College. Their grievances were twofold: a prolonged internet shutdown affecting online classes, research, and assignments, and the delayed distribution of laptops under the government's Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme. The students said they had completed all formalities and documentation several months ago but had yet to receive the devices, accusing authorities of deliberate delaying tactics.
Escalating Demands and Warnings
Protesters in both regions directed slogans against the government and relevant institutions. The Mastung students warned that their agitation would be intensified if demands were not addressed immediately. Critics argue that repeated internet disruptions in Pakistan's peripheral regions disproportionately burden already under-served communities, compounding educational and economic disadvantage.
Broader Pattern of Connectivity Disruptions
Connectivity blackouts in Pakistan's tribal and border districts have drawn recurring criticism from civil society and rights groups, who contend that prolonged shutdowns violate residents' rights to communication and access to information. This is the latest in a series of such protests from communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan demanding restoration of digital services. The authorities have yet to issue a formal public response to either protest.
Point of View
One in Balochistan — reveal a structural pattern that goes beyond a tower fault. Pakistan's peripheral regions routinely bear the brunt of connectivity shutdowns, whether from technical failures or deliberate restrictions, with little accountability and no clear redress mechanism. The timing ahead of Eidul Azha amplifies the human cost, but the underlying problem is systemic: communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are repeatedly last in line for both connectivity infrastructure and government responsiveness. Until Islamabad treats digital access in tribal and border districts as a rights issue rather than a law-and-order variable, these protests will keep recurring.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are South Waziristan residents protesting?
Residents of Sarvekai and Barwand in Upper South Waziristan are protesting a 10-day disruption of mobile network signals and internet services that has affected emergency communication, trade, and education. They are demanding the immediate restoration of connectivity, especially ahead of Eidul Azha.
What caused the mobile and internet outage in South Waziristan?
According to local sources, a technical fault at the Srarogha Ahmadwam tower — which serves as the central link for all three mobile towers in the region — triggered the outage. No official repair timeline has been announced.
How has the internet blackout affected residents?
Protesters say the blackout has prevented residents from contacting relatives abroad and in other parts of Pakistan, disrupted business transactions, blocked students from accessing online learning platforms, and critically, made it impossible for patients and those in emergencies to reach hospitals or rescue services.
What is the Mastung protest about?
Students at the University of Balochistan sub-campus in Mastung blocked the national highway to protest both a prolonged internet shutdown and the delayed distribution of laptops under the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme. They say they completed all required formalities months ago but have not received the devices.
Is this part of a wider pattern of internet disruptions in Pakistan?
Yes. Connectivity blackouts in Pakistan's tribal and border districts — particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — have drawn repeated criticism from civil society and rights groups. The South Waziristan and Mastung protests are the latest in a series of demonstrations by communities demanding restoration of digital services.
