Internet services in Bara, Khyber district, have remained suspended for around two weeks, disrupting commercial activities, digital payments and education. Local traders say the prolonged outage has caused losses worth millions of rupees, while students are struggling to access online classes and learning resources.
According to a report published by Tribal News Network (TNN) on October 26, 2026, traders and students have urged the authorities to restore internet connectivity as soon as possible.
Bara Bazaar Traders Report Millions in Losses
The internet shutdown has affected business operations across Bara Bazaar, which has approximately 10,000 shops, according to Syed Ayaz Wazir, president of the Bara Traders Association.
Wazir said the suspension had significantly disrupted daily transactions and caused substantial financial losses for local businesses.
Many traders rely on internet connectivity to manage customer payments, transfer money and conduct routine commercial activities. Without reliable access, shopkeepers and customers have encountered difficulties completing transactions.
The continued disruption has placed additional pressure on businesses that depend on digital services to serve their customers.
Easypaisa and Digital Money Transfers Affected
The suspension of internet services has also disrupted digital financial facilities in Bara, particularly those used for everyday payments and money transfers.
Residents frequently rely on services such as Easypaisa to send and receive money. However, the connectivity problems have made these transactions difficult for shopkeepers and customers.
Wazir said the disruption creates additional challenges during weekends, when local banks and ATMs are closed. People who depend on digital financial services for urgent payments and remittances have also faced difficulties.
Farooq Afridi, an Easypaisa shopkeeper in Bara Bazaar, said more than 100 shops in the market provide digital payment and related financial services.
According to Afridi, business at these outlets has slowed considerably since internet connectivity was suspended, affecting both service providers and their customers.
Students Face Difficulties Accessing Online Education
The internet shutdown in Bara has also interrupted students’ academic activities, particularly those who depend on digital platforms for lessons, research and examination preparation.
Students are finding it difficult to attend online classes, watch video lectures and download course materials needed for their studies.
Lubna Afridi, a second-year student from Shalobar, said the lack of internet access had affected her preparation for academic subjects. She explained that online resources were important for studying and understanding different topics.
Alina Afridi, a first-year student, also highlighted the difficulties caused by the prolonged suspension. She called on the authorities to restore internet services so students could continue their education without further disruption.
The continued outage has raised concerns among students who depend on internet connectivity to complete coursework and access educational information.
Why Were Internet Services Suspended in Bara?
The suspension followed protests held in Bara Bazaar from October 11, 2026, amid opposition to the federal government’s reported imposition of Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The demonstrations continued for three days, with clashes reported at some locations. Mobile network and internet services were subsequently suspended.
According to the TNN report, local traders and students said services had not been fully restored despite the passage of approximately two weeks.
The prolonged disruption has left residents facing difficulties in maintaining business operations, completing financial transactions and accessing online education.
Traders and Students Demand Internet Restoration
Traders and students in Bara have appealed to the relevant authorities to restore internet and mobile network services without further delay.
Business representatives say continued connectivity restrictions are affecting commercial activity and the livelihoods of people who depend on digital payments.
Students, meanwhile, are concerned that further interruptions could affect their academic preparation and progress.
Residents have urged the authorities to address security concerns while considering the impact of the shutdown on daily life.
In other news read more about: Internet Users in Pakistan May Face Slow Speeds Until November 2
The restoration of internet services would help local businesses resume digital transactions and enable students to regain access to online learning resources.
