Torrential rains and subsequent floods have disrupted the communication system across the country, due to which people are not only facing enormous difficulties in travelling but also in communicating with people living in and outside the country, sources said.
An official of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that the catastrophe of the recent rains and floods has also seriously affected the infrastructure of the telecommunication services in KP and Punjab. Due to heavy rains and flood in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Azakheil Peshawar dry port has been closed down. Similarly, GT Road and Motorway have been damaged in both provinces.
The main reason behind disruption in telecommunication networks was the fibreoptic cut of PTCL and Wateen Telecom between Kohat-Bannu, Lawrancepur-Mardan, Peshawar-Kohat, Bannu-Karak, D I Khan-Shehbaz Khel, Taxila-Nowshera, Abbottabad-Taxila and Peshawar-Mardan sections. Due to this, 53 Base Stations Controllers (BSCs) and 2703 Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) were affected at Peshawar, Nowshera, Dir, Mardan, Charsada, Swabi, Jahangira, Swat, Bara, Timergara, Mingora, Bannu, Kohat, D I Khan, Kurram Agency and Khyber Agency.
He said that the areas worst affected as far as the telecommunication infrastructure is concerned include Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsada, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Dir, Malakand, Kohat, Jahangira, D I Khan and Timergara. "Though the restoration process of services is a gigantic task in the wake of heavy floods and access issues in the affected areas, PTA has chalked out comprehensive plans to restore communication system in the country", he added.
He said that 43 BSCs and 2239 BTSs have been restored so far. Remaining sites are being accessed by the technical teams and shall be restored at the earliest. Additional Secretary and spokesperson of Ports and Shipping Ministry claimed that there is no issue at the ports, and consignment clearance is being done smoothly.
However, the position of customs clearance of imported consignments showed that customs clearances at the KP has been totally stopped whereas slow clearance process is taking place in Punjab. However, customs clearance of imported consignments has been improved from Karachi Port and clearances are being made through Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PACCs).