Palak Ordered Internet Shutdown During July Uprising

During the July mass uprising in 2024, the decision to suspend 3G and 4G mobile internet services across 59 public universities was executed under the direct instructions of then ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the former ICT adviser to the prime minister, and State Minister Palak participated online in a high-level Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) meeting regarding the shutdown. Mahdi Ahmad, Deputy Director of BTRC, revealed these details in his testimony before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday (October 11, 2026).

Mahdi Ahmad testified as a prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case filed against former Prime Minister's ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Following his testimony, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings until Monday (October 12). Prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and Abdullah Al Mamun represented the state, while lawyer M. Liton Ahmed stood for the defense.

Internet Restricted in Five Universities on July 15

In his testimony, Mahdi Ahmad stated that late at night on July 14, past 12:30 AM on July 15, BTRC's then Director General Brigadier General Mostafizur Rahman called him via WhatsApp. The DG informed him that, based on information from the Ministry of Home Affairs and intelligence agencies, State Minister Palak had instructed BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed to suspend or limit 3G and 4G networks across five public universities.

The universities were University of Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University, University of Rajshahi, University of Chittagong, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

According to the witness, following the state minister's directive, the DG instructed senior mobile operator officials via WhatsApp. Later around 9:00 AM on July 15, upon arriving at the office, Mahdi Ahmad learned that services had been restored at 8:00 AM in the areas where mobile internet was restricted the previous day. He stated that after the state minister's verbal directive reached the BTRC chairman, the DG restored 3G and 4G networks in those areas, and retrospective approval was later documented.

Network Shutdown Across 59 Universities on July 16

According to Mahdi Ahmad's testimony, on July 16, directives were issued to shut down 3G and 4G networks across all public universities and four private universities. State Minister Palak instructed the BTRC chairman, who relayed it to the DG, who in turn ordered senior mobile operator officials to suspend mobile networks in those academic institutions.

The witness noted that he learned about the directive around 6:30 PM that evening. A pre-scheduled high-level BTRC meeting took place that day, attended online by Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Mahdi Ahmad stated that because of his involvement with an agenda item, he was in the office but did not directly join the meeting, instead providing his prepared documents to the DG. Retrospective approval for the network shutdown was later obtained on file.

VoLTE Service Restoration Directive on July 25 T

he witness stated that as 3G and 4G networks remained blocked in 59 university zones, mobile operators notified BTRC of customer complaints. The then BTRC chairman subsequently briefed State Minister Palak. Following Palak's instructions on July 25, mobile operators were directed to restore 4G Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, with formal file approval processed subsequently.

Mobile Internet Restoration on July 28

Mahdi Ahmad stated that a meeting chaired by State Minister Palak was held at the BTRC office in Agargaon on July 28, attended by representatives from DGFI, NSI, NTMC, MFS, and mobile operators. During the meeting, Palak ordered then NTMC Director General Major General Ziaul Ahsan to restore 3G and 4G networks for the four mobile operators. Simultaneously, BTRC was instructed to block cache servers for Facebook, TikTok, Akamai, and Bisan.

The witness added that on July 31, Palak instructed the BTRC chairman to unblock the cache servers for Facebook, TikTok, Akamai, and Bisan, with file approvals secured for these decisions. Mobile internet was restored on July 28, while broadband cable internet had been temporarily unblocked on July 23 and fully restored on July 31.

Witness Lacks Knowledge of Nationwide Shutdown

During his testimony, Mahdi Ahmad clarified that he does not officially endorse the claim that the nationwide mobile internet shutdown was ordered by NTMC. He stated that his professional scope primarily involved the operational and technical activities of mobile operators, and while he lacked direct knowledge of the nationwide internet blackout, he was fully aware of the restoration process following the July 28 meeting.

Mahdi Ahmad confirmed his signature on various files concerning the suspension, restriction, and restoration of mobile internet dated July 15, 16, 25, 28, and 31, 2024. He identified his signature along with those of Assistant Director Yasmin Sultana, Director Golam Razzaq, former DG Brigadier General Mostafizur Rahman, and former Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed on documents presented at the tribunal, providing critical procedural insights into the restriction and restoration of university internet access during the July uprising.

//DBTech/JNO/SME/BPO//