Internet Shutdowns Cripple Economy and Businesses in IIOJK: Report Reveals

What happens when the digital lifeline of an entire region is repeatedly cut off? In IIOJK, the answer is economic loss and stifled growth.

Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has recorded the highest number of internet shutdowns worldwide over the past 13 years, with a total of 434 incidents. These frequent disruptions have severely hampered business operations, remote employment, and overall economic development in the already tense, disputed territory.

The information comes from a new report titled “Let the Net Work 2.0”, published by the Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.in). The non-profit organization highlights how these shutdowns continue to damage not just communication but also the financial well-being of the region’s residents.

According to the report, IIOJK faced 13 internet shutdowns in 2023 alone, amounting to 435 hours of digital blackout. The financial cost of these interruptions was significant, resulting in an estimated loss of USD 8.59 million. Although there were fewer shutdowns in 2024, totaling 44 hours and 20 minutes, the economic setback still reached over USD 1.14 million.

These shutdowns have had a crippling effect on entrepreneurs, small businesses, e-commerce traders, and freelancers who rely heavily on stable digital connectivity. Key industries such as handicrafts, saffron exports, and tourism services have suffered immensely, as they require uninterrupted access to online platforms to communicate with customers, both locally and internationally.

Moreover, the rise of remote work and digital employment opportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic offered many in IIOJK a chance to connect with global markets. However, the unpredictable internet bans place them at a clear disadvantage compared to individuals in other regions, limiting their ability to meet deadlines or maintain professional relationships.

For local business owners and workers alike, each shutdown disrupts day-to-day activities, undermines confidence in the market, and threatens long-term economic stability. The continuous blackouts further isolate the region from the global digital economy, creating a widening gap between IIOJK and other, more connected parts of the world.

The report serves as a stark reminder of how internet shutdowns go beyond communication control—they have real, lasting effects on people’s livelihoods and the broader economic health of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.