A technical assessment presented to the Ministry of Information Technology warned that further disruptions of internet service were possible shortly as Pakistan dealt with significant flooding caused by incessant rainfall.
In the past week, there have been two separate incidents of internet disruptions in Pakistan. In light of recent cable cut occurrences, the ministry requested a report from the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
PTCL blamed “flood relief activities in the Sukkur division where fiber-optic cables were being destroyed mainly by the heavy gear used to clear water in Sindh” for the recent disruptions in service, according to an article in the Daily Dawn.
As rescue attempts began in Sindh amid heavy rains, internet access was intermittently disrupted for netizens during the past few days.
Meanwhile, IT and Telecom Minister Syed Aminul Haque said, “the situation was critical and more such instances could be expected in the near future,” referring to the technical report.
The minister informed the publication that most of the channels of subterranean wires have been inundated as relief workers and people tried to reroute floodwater by digging trenches on roads and sidewalks.
As per Haque’s statement, the PTCL has been requested to declare an emergency in the event of such an occurrence being registered in the system, allowing for immediate repair work to be undertaken.
The minister assured the public that the PTA would be keeping a close eye on service standards.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
