MUZAFFARABAD: The Home Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has announced the phased restoration of internet services across the region, beginning today.
According to a notification issued by the department, internet services have been fully restored in Neelum district of Muzaffarabad Division. Internet services have also been completely restored in Haveli Kahuta district.
The notification said that DSL services have been restored in Mirpur and Bhimber.
However, internet access remains restricted in several other districts. In Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Dhirkot and Kotli, DSL services have been restored only for educational institutions and banks.
Whitelisted Connections for Institutions
According to the notification, educational institutions and banks in the specified areas will be provided with whitelisted DSL connections.
The heads of these whitelisted institutions will be required to submit affidavits as part of the conditions for restoring the service.
The notification stated that the institutions must provide an undertaking guaranteeing that their internet connections will not be used for activities against national security.
The restrictions are therefore being eased gradually, with broader access depending on the district and the nature of the institution.
Internet Remains Suspended in Two Districts
The Home Department said internet services will remain suspended in Rawalakot and Sudhanoti districts of Poonch Division.
No immediate date for the restoration of full internet services in these two districts was provided in the notification.
The phased approach means that internet availability will differ across AJK, with some districts receiving full access while others are currently limited to selected institutions.
Prime Minister Had Announced Restoration
The development follows an earlier announcement by newly elected AJK Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, who had said that internet services in the region would be restored within the next two days.
The latest notification appears to begin implementation of that commitment, although services are being restored in stages rather than simultaneously across the entire region.
Authorities are expected to monitor the situation as services are gradually restored. Further decisions regarding the lifting of restrictions in the remaining districts will depend on the circumstances and official assessments.
For now, residents of Neelum and Haveli Kahuta have received full internet connectivity, while residents of Mirpur and Bhimber have access to DSL services. In Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Dhirkot and Kotli, access is limited to whitelisted educational institutions and banks, while internet services remain suspended in Rawalakot and Sudhanoti.
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