AJK PM Gillani moves to restore internet after months-long shutdown

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Barrister Syed Iftikhar Gilani has moved to restore internet services in several parts of the region, including the entire districts of Mirpur and Bhimber, following months of suspension amid ongoing protests.

The AJK government has formally approached the Ministry of Interior, seeking restoration of DSL services in several areas. It has sought restoration of 3G/4G services in selected parts of Muzaffarabad division and Haveli.

The move is being described by the AJK government as a step by the prime minister towards fulfilling one of his initial commitments.

The federal government has been requested to restore DSL internet across the entire districts of Mirpur and Bhimber.

It has been requested to restore both DSL and 3G/4G services in Haveli Kahuta.

In parts of Muzaffarabad district, however, DSL access will initially remain restricted to educational institutions and banks.

Similarly, limited DSL service will be restored for educational institutions and banks in Bagh city and Dhirkot, while DSL service for educational institutions and banks will be restored in Kotli.

No internet restoration has been proposed at this stage for Rawalakot, Sudhnoti, Sehnsa, Sarsawa, Balouch and Tatta Pani.

Restoration already begins in some areas

HUM News correspondents in different parts of AJK reported that internet services has already begun to restore in some areas.

The areas where the process has started include Mirpur and Haveli, the native district of former AJK prime minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore.

The phased restoration means that internet access will not immediately return uniformly across AJK, with the government maintaining restrictions in several areas.

Institutions asked to submit undertakings

Under the proposed arrangements, heads of educational institutions and officials responsible for bank branches have been directed to submit undertakings before internet connections are restored.

The undertakings will include assurances that the connections will not be used against state interests or national security and will not be used in a manner that threatens public order.

According to sources, future decisions on suspending or restoring internet services will also be linked to the conduct of social media users.

This means authorities could review internet access depending on how social media platforms are used and whether online activity is deemed to pose a threat to public order or security.

Why was internet suspended?

Internet services across AJK were suspended on June 5, 2026, amid a protest movement led by the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), which had launched a campaign demanding acceptance of its demands.

The committee had called for a long march towards Muzaffarabad on June 9.

The internet shutdown followed an alleged attack on a core member of the JKJAAC on June 5 and subsequent clashes between protesters and security forces. The committee was also declared proscribed the same day.

Internet services were suspended across the region without prior notice.

Services were temporarily restored in some areas at different intervals during the general elections but were subsequently suspended again.

The latest move by the AJK government marks the first significant step towards a broader restoration of internet connectivity after the prolonged shutdown, although access will remain restricted in several areas and subject to conditions.