Internet services were partially restored in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir AJK on Thursday after remaining suspended for 48 days following restrictions imposed in the wake of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee’s (JAAC) long march and sit-in call in Rawalakot on June 5.

Internet services were restored in Mirpur city, Afzalpur, Chakswari, Mangla Hamlet, Islamgarh, Kotli and Bhimber on Thursday evening. However, connectivity remained unavailable in other parts of AJK, where restoration is expected to be carried out in phases before the general elections.

The prolonged suspension severely disrupted communication, online banking, business activity and public services, leaving thousands of consumers without internet access. Businesses dependent on digital payments suffered financial losses, while students, freelancers, government offices and professionals faced difficulties in carrying out routine work.

Although connectivity resumed in parts of the AJK, users continued to report intermittent disruptions and slow internet speeds.

The 48-day suspension triggered widespread frustration among residents, many of whom said the shutdown had hampered communication, delayed financial transactions and affected routine official work. The disruption also underscored the region’s dependence on digital connectivity and raised concerns over the vulnerability of AJK’s communication infrastructure.

Officials said internet restoration would continue in phases, with services expected to be resumed in the Muzaffarabad Division during the next stage of the process.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin wrote to AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice Retired Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, urging the authorities to restore internet services across AJK.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also raised the issue during his election public meetings in AJK, calling on the authorities to immediately restore internet services to facilitate businesses, students and the general public.

READ: Bilawal promises greater constitutional rights, urges restoration of internet in AJK

Residents and members of the freelance community welcomed the partial restoration but urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and service providers to waive internet charges for June and July, arguing that consumers should not be billed for services that remained unavailable during the prolonged suspension.

Following the restoration of internet services in Mirpur Division, Bilawal thanked the concerned authorities and Mughal, and urged the PTA to enhance the internet speed across AJK.