Lawmakers raise concerns over outages and weak coverage; regulator cites power shortages, limited fiber, and recent spectrum auction as key factors
A Senate standing committee on less developed areas, chaired by Senator Niaz Ahmad, on Monday raised serious concerns over persistent network issues in Chitral, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) outlined challenges and pledged improvements through recent policy measures.
Briefing the committee, PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez ur Rehman said that 142 telecom towers are currently operational in Chitral, with additional installations recently deployed to improve coverage in underserved مناطق.
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that load shedding and network congestion remain major hurdles, particularly in remote مناطق where infrastructure limitations continue to affect service quality.
The chairman noted that Chitral is currently reliant on a single optical fiber link, making the network vulnerable to disruptions. He added that cable cuts — often occurring during road construction by the National Highway Authority (NHA) — can trigger widespread outages due to the absence of redundancy.
Highlighting structural issues, the PTA chief said limited spectrum availability had long constrained network performance, but a recent auction of 480 MHz spectrum is expected to ease congestion and improve service delivery in the coming months.
He further explained that while some علاقوں are connected through fiber, others depend on microwave links, which are less reliable and unsuitable for next-generation technologies. “Fiber infrastructure will be essential for 5G deployment, as it cannot operate effectively on microwave systems,” he told the committee.
Energy shortages were also cited as a critical factor, with prolonged power outages affecting tower operations. Backup batteries can sustain services only for a few hours, while generators — though an option — are costly due to high diesel consumption, which is not feasible on a large scale amid the ongoing energy crisis.
Committee members expressed dissatisfaction, stressing that telecom operators generate significant revenues and must ensure reliable services, particularly in underserved regions. They also called for better coordination between government bodies, noting that infrastructure damage often occurs due to lack of communication during development projects.
The committee was informed that the government has proposed special budget allocations for less developed areas, aimed at strengthening telecom infrastructure and bridging the digital divide.
Officials expressed optimism that with improved spectrum allocation, better planning, and enhanced coordination among institutions, connectivity challenges in Chitral can be gradually addressed.
The discussion underscores the broader challenge of expanding reliable digital infrastructure in Pakistan’s remote regions, where geography, energy constraints, and limited investment continue to hinder progress.
