Muzaffarabad (The Azadi Times): Frustrated by persistent internet connectivity issues, residents of Saidpur (Battal Bashah) in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, took a bold stand on Monday by surrounding a jointly operated Zong and Telenor mobile tower and shutting it down in protest. The action comes after prolonged dissatisfaction with poor service quality and rising mobile package costs.
The protest, which gathered momentum over the past several days, reflects growing anger among citizens who rely heavily on mobile internet, particularly the thousands of freelancers, students, and online workers in the region.
“Our internet is barely usable, and yet we pay premium prices,” said one protester. “This is digital oppression. We will not remain silent.”
Locals have called on the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee to include the issue of poor mobile and internet service in their official charter of demands. They say the digital divide is not just a technological inconvenience—it’s a barrier to employment, education, and basic communication.
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Despite four days having passed since the initial disruption, the affected tower remains offline, leaving the area in a digital blackout. Locals report that even emergency communication has become difficult.
In an even stronger statement, some protesters warned that if mobile companies fail to restore and improve services immediately, they will escalate the movement across the region.
“If the companies do not act, we will dismantle these towers ourselves,” warned a community leader. “This is not just about speed—this is about dignity.”
Background: A Region Digitally Isolated
Pakistan-administered Kashmir has long suffered from substandard digital infrastructure. Despite the increase in mobile penetration, consistent and high-speed internet remains a luxury in many areas. With frequent power outages, lack of fiber connectivity, and a lack of accountability from telecom companies, frustration has reached a tipping point.
Weather Compounding the Crisis
A government advisory issued earlier this week also warned of incoming storms and wind activity in several parts of Azad Kashmir. Local residents fear that if mobile towers are not fully functional before the storm, they could be completely cut off from communication during emergencies.
