Pakistan has temporarily suspended mobile data for three weeks in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, Reuters reports. The measure is aimed at blocking communications between separatist rebels who have stepped up their attacks in recent months, mainly targeting the Pakistani army, News.bg reports.
Mobile data services will remain suspended until the end of the month due to security and public order issues in the region, where key Chinese projects under the “One Belt, One Road” initiative are being implemented. A spokesman for the regional government said the separatists were using mobile networks to coordinate and share information.
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area and has about 8.5 million mobile phone subscribers, despite its population of about 15 million.
The separatists, who want a greater share of the mineral-rich region's resources, accuse the Pakistani government of unfair distribution and have been active in their attacks for decades. In recent times, they have targeted military installations, Chinese citizens and their interests, as well as senior army officers.
Islamabad accuses India, its arch-rival, of funding and supporting the insurgent groups with the aim of undermining stability in the country.