Mobile phone and internet services in Mirpur and surrounding areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have begun a phased return after a 45-day suspension, with restoration expected to be gradual across the region. The restart comes ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections, which will be held in three phases starting July 27, and has been welcomed by Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who credited local PPP leadership and the Election Commission for facilitating the process. Bilawal has repeatedly urged full restoration for Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and other areas, arguing that the shutdown has punished ordinary citizens and hindered campaigning and daily life. Authorities, including the AJK Election Commissioner, have indicated that restoration is essential for electoral transparency and to enable citizens to access information and services, including education and banking. In some reporting, the restoration follows a broader, nationwide confirmation from the PTA that internet services were restored after a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 cable was repaired, supporting continued connectivity improvements across Pakistan. The overall rollout is described as a relief for residents, students, businesses, and freelancers whose daily activities were disrupted by the outage.