PESHAWAR – After the government’s success in improving law and order situation, mobile telephone service was restored in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) on Friday, the region bordering Waziristan and located in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government had suspended mobile phone services and banned pillion riding in and around the city 18 months back.
The move caused great hardships to the common people but it helped in the efforts to counter terrorism and sectarian violence in the area. During the last couple of days, certain top officeholders in the armed forces visited Dera Ismail Khan in connection with the Spring Festival, which was also attended by National Assembly Speaker Faisal Karim Khan Kundi.
It enabled the local traders and business circle to present their demand of restoring the communication service, after which the authorities concerned in Peshawar and Islamabad announced the decision. Meanwhile, the residents of the DI Khan, located on the west bank of River Sindh, are jubilant after the move as they remained disconnected with their relations and friends for a long period.
The mobile phone has a tremendous effect on the lives in the far-flung and sparsely-populated areas where road network is either underdeveloped or even does not exist. It is important to note that DI Khan, occupying an important strategic and geographical location, has been badly hit by terrorist acts, where police and Shia community faced the brunt of the suicide attacks during the last decade or so.
Like other troubled areas, trade and business activities have also suffered affecting the local people who are mostly dependent on traditional sources of livelihood.
