Caretaker Sindh Information Minister Ahmed Shah has said the decision to block internet and cellular services has been taken by the federal government keeping in view the recent terror incidents in Balochistan.

At least 28 people were killed in back-to-back blasts in Qila Saifullah and Pishin yesterday. Separately, JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah survived a gun attack on his vehicle en route to Chaman.

Speaking to the media after casting his vote in Karachi, Shah said mobile and internet services would be restored if the security situation remained stable.

“It is very important to protect human lives,” he stated, adding that Pakistan’s enemies had kept an eye on the polling day and the caretakers were doing their best to ensure a smooth polling process.

In response to a question, Shah said shutting down mobile services was the prerogative of the federal government. “Definitely, they took this decision in light of security threats,” the minister added.