The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all cellular mobile operators to promptly report theft and vandalism incidents involving telecom infrastructure and ensure the timely registration of First Information Reports as attacks on telecom sites have reached a critical level across the country.
According to a report submitted to a parliamentary committee, more than 9,200 incidents of theft and vandalism were recorded nationwide during the past 11 months. The incidents affected nearly 16 percent of Pakistan’s cellular sites, requiring sustained action to protect telecom infrastructure and maintain network services.
PTA said mobile operators had also been instructed to follow up on registered cases with law enforcement agencies until their conclusion. The directives were issued after a subcommittee investigated internet service disruptions and reports of diesel theft from telecom towers in different parts of the country.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has engaged the PTA and the Ministry of Law and Justice to address the issue. On the ministry’s advice, PTA has started consultations with telecom licensees and sought their recommendations for submission to the government.
PTA has also raised power related issues at telecom sites with the Power Division, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and electricity distribution companies.
A committee headed by the IT and Telecommunication secretary will examine dedicated and express feeders, smart grids, smart transformers and industrial electricity tariffs to reduce load shedding and ensure an uninterrupted power supply to telecom towers.
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