Traders and transporters in Muzaffarabad division have demanded the immediate restoration of internet services as they announced markets and public transport would resume normal operations from Sunday, following administration assurances of adequate security and uninterrupted fuel supplies.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Central Press Club, representatives of traders and transporters urged authorities to end the digital blackout, warning that the internet suspension is severely disrupting commercial activity.
The briefing was led by Gohar Kashmiri, senior vice chairman of the Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran Muzaffarabad, Raja Abrar Mustafa, president of the Madina Market Traders Association and Khawaja Azam Rasool, president of the Divisional Transport Operators Union.
During the press conference, the representatives simultaneously distanced themselves from the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). They alleged that the movement had deviated from its original objectives after June 9 and was now pursuing a political and constitutional agenda well beyond the mandate of traders and transporters.
The crisis stems from an ongoing suspension of internet services across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) since June 8, which has severely disrupted the daily lives of students, freelancers, and ordinary citizens.
Residents reported being forced to travel entirely outside AJK just to access basic online services, with many crossing into neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to perform urgent digital tasks they could not complete at home.
The digital blackout has also triggered a spillover effect across regional borders. Last week, it was reported that internet services in the popular tourist destination of Murree had remained completely suspended for the week due to the regional security operations and ongoing unrest.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zaheer Shirazi confirmed that the prolonged digital blackout in the hill station was triggered by the volatile situation developing across nearby AJK. The senior official explained that major telecommunication signal towers are physically installed right on the geographical border separating Murree directly from neighbouring Kashmir territory.
Because cellular networks and data services were officially deactivated in AJK, neighbouring Pakistani regions including Murree and Kotli Sattian suffered severe collateral technical disruptions.
