QUETTA: The ongoing suspension of 3G and 4G mobile internet services in Balochistan has dealt a severe blow to Quetta’s online food delivery sector, placing the livelihoods of more than 1,000 workers in jeopardy.
Authorities imposed the suspension from August 6 to August 31 as part of heightened security measures. However, the extended outage has crippled operations for delivery riders, restaurants, and app-based platforms that rely heavily on mobile connectivity for order management and customer communication.
For many workers in Quetta’s online delivery industry, the disruption has brought business to a complete standstill. Riders report being unable to receive or update orders, while restaurant partners struggle to coordinate deliveries without real-time connectivity.
“This isn’t just about inconvenience — this is our only source of income,” one delivery rider told reporters, stressing that the prolonged shutdown has left them unable to support their families.
Industry representatives warn that if services are not restored quickly, many workers could face permanent job losses and small food businesses may shut down altogether. They argue that the ban, while aimed at addressing security concerns, is disproportionately impacting low-income earners who depend on digital platforms to survive.
Affected workers have appealed to the government to restore mobile internet services immediately to alleviate their financial hardships, urging policymakers to explore alternative security measures that do not disrupt livelihoods.
