Mobile data services have been suspended in Balochistan since over three weeks to disrupt communications among separatist insurgents behind a recent surge in attacks, officials said on Friday.

An order issued on Wednesday and seen by Reuters said services would remain suspended until the end of the month because of the law and order situation in the province, which hosts key projects under China’s Belt and Road programme.

“The service has been suspended because they [militants] use it for coordination and sharing information,” provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said.

:Officials said there are 8.5 million cell phone subscribers in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area but home to 15 million people out of a national population of 240 million.

Separatist groups, s

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