Roadblocks and internet shutdown prolong hardship in Pakistani Kashmir ahead of elections

Residents in the region are reporting increasing hardship as government‑imposed internet restrictions and road closures enter their second month ahead of the scheduled national polls. The curbs, which began in early May, have limited access to social media platforms, messaging services and several news websites, while checkpoints and barricades have blocked major thoroughfares linking towns and rural areas. Local business owners say the loss of online connectivity has disrupted transactions and supply chains, and commuters face longer travel times and higher fuel costs due to detours.

Humanitarian groups and election observers note that the restrictions coincide with heightened political tension and have raised concerns about the ability of voters to obtain timely information and reach polling stations. Authorities maintain that the measures are intended to ensure public order, but officials from the electoral commission have urged citizens to plan ahead for potential delays. As the polls approach, the sustained limitations on communication and mobility remain a focal point of public discourse.