Authorities enforce week-long mobile and internet blackout across AJK ahead of planned strike

Authorities have ordered a week-long suspension of mobile phone and internet services across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK

MUZAFFARABAD: Authorities have ordered a week-long suspension of mobile phone and internet services across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following a total breakdown in talks between the regional government and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

The comprehensive communication blackout took effect late last night and is scheduled to remain in place until June 12.

Administrative sources confirmed the digital shutdown was enforced as a preemptive measure to maintain public order and restrict coordination ahead of a region-wide strike mobilised by the committee.

The deadlock intensified after central JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir announced that formal negotiations with state representatives had collapsed. According to committee officials, the government conditioned any further engagement on the immediate withdrawal of their protest movement, a demand the leadership rejected.

Following the failure of the talks, the alliance reiterated its decision to go ahead with a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across the region on June 9. In tandem with the digital blackout, the AJK government has issued an urgent travel advisory directing tourists and external visitors to leave the territory immediately and avoid travelling to the region until June 20.

To reinforce local law enforcement, the administration has also requested the immediate deployment of additional police and paramilitary units from Islamabad to secure key locations and prevent potential unrest.