3G service suspended, FATA people disturbed

Most 3G services have been suspended in tribal areas by almost all service providers since the start of armed disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the construction of a gate at Torkham border.

The service was suspended on June 12 when Pakistani border security guards closed the border to all types of traffic after Afghan forces resorted to firing on the evening of June 11 owing to the construction of a gate at Pakistan side.

The service remained suspended as the mobile companies were yet to furnish a satisfactory explanation for the sudden disruption of its fast track net service.

According to reports, the 3G service was also terminated in Bajaur, Mohmand, and Kurram agencies alongside Jamrud and Landi Kotal tehsils of Khyber Agency.

The suspension of 3G service caused problems for thousands of mobile phone users in the tribal areas as they were disconnected from the outside world.

“There is a complete blackout of social media and nobody is able to make a video call to his or her relatives or friends in foreign countries or other cities of the country,” Ali Man Shah, a resident of Jamrud, informed reporters of local media.

He said that his son was working in Saudi Arabia and he would regularly talk to him through video calls but he was unable to him for the last one week owing to suspension 3G service by phone companies.

“I made a number of complaints with the mobile phone service I am using but have not received any satisfactory reply as to why the service was suspended,” he added.

A local Journalist, Sudher Ahmad in Landi Kotal, said that such facilities were ensured to every citizen of the country through Article 19-A of the Constitution. He said that the suspension of the service was a violation of the constitution. He said that suspension of 3G service adversely affected professional responsibilities of most of the local journalists as they faced difficulties in sending news stories to their respective media organisations within the stipulated time.

A worker at a franchise of a mobile phone company in Ghalanai told local media that the service was suspended by their office in Peshawar but he did not cite any solid reason for suspension of the service.