PoJK: Residents face severe mobile, internet service failures amidst rising costs

***three college students in Gilgit sit next to a cell tower for internet access to finish their homework and download assignments.***

Muzaffarabad [PoJK] –Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), residents are grappling with a crisis of mobile service quality, which has severe financial and practical repercussions. Despite hefty monthly charges, service providers are failing to deliver basic connectivity. A local resident voiced his frustration: “It often takes five attempts just to connect a call. The internet service is so poor that sending a photo or a simple message can take ages. We are paying a lot, but the network is in a terrible state, especially for students.”

He continued, “We are charged significant amounts for services we don’t receive. It’s difficult to even make a video call. If the situation is this bad in the city, imagine what it’s like around Muzaffarabad.”

Another resident echoed these concerns, highlighting the financial burden of expensive recharge packages coupled with poor service. “Making a call is hard enough, and if it disconnects, we’re left paying for nothing.”

According to a report by Dawn, residents across PoJK are struggling with “excessively slow internet speeds and frequent disconnections,” making everyday tasks like sending emails or video conferencing nearly impossible. Both urban and rural areas are plagued by these issues, with severe delays in data transmission.

Amidst these challenges, community forums and social media platforms are abuzz with calls for immediate intervention to address the dire state of connectivity. As the digital divide in PoJK widens, the outcry for improved service and fair costs grows louder. Students like Seher, battling against both academic pressure and technological constraints, hope for a future where education is not a privilege but a right, accessible to all.