AJK internet outage hits day 37, subscribers demand refunds
Newswire put the outage at more than 100 days and said it has been accompanied by arrests and deadly unrest; authorities have not commented.
Internet services remained suspended in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for a 37th consecutive day, according to TechJuice, as subscribers demanded refunds from operators for connectivity they have paid for but could not use. The outage has now stretched beyond five weeks.
Newswire, however, reported the blackout has lasted more than 100 days and said it has been accompanied by arrests and deadly unrest. The outlet referred to the territory as 'Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir', a framing Skardu Times does not adopt; the people who live there call it Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Neither source provided a full account in the material available to Skardu Times. TechJuice's report gave no district breakdown, did not identify the authority that ordered the suspension, and did not say whether any operator had acknowledged or acted on refund requests. Newswire's headline named no locations for the arrests or unrest and gave no toll.
The conflicting timelines could not be reconciled from the two headlines. Both reports, however, agree that internet connectivity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been down for an extended period and that residents have taken the step of seeking refunds, a sign of the economic strain caused by the outage.
The prolonged loss of connectivity affects mobile banking, online education, and communication for households and businesses, though neither outlet detailed those impacts.
No official from the AJK administration, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, or any telecom company is quoted in either source. Without such comment, subscribers have no indication of when services might be restored or whether refunds will be granted.
Skardu Times will update this article when authorities respond or when complete reporting becomes available.
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