Two-month mobile internet outage disrupts life in Lower South Waziristan

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A complete suspension of mobile internet services for the past two months has created mounting difficulties for residents, students and traders in several parts of Lower South Waziristan, according to local residents and members of the business community.

Residents said mobile internet has remained unavailable in multiple areas of Birmal and Wana tehsils, leaving thousands of users cut off from communication and digital services. In Birmal tehsil, the affected localities include Azam Warsak, Kalotai, Landi Doag, Ji Khel Staff, Shin Warsak and Nargasi. In tehsil Wana, residents of Ghowa Kohwa, Zeri Noor, Dazha Ghundai and Kari Kot were also reported to be facing the prolonged disruption.

Students and traders affected

Local residents said internet connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life and that the continued disruption has upset daily routines and communications. They said many services now depend on internet access, making the prolonged suspension increasingly difficult for communities in the area.

Students said the outage had hurt their education, with many reporting problems in accessing online study material, carrying out academic research, contacting educational institutions and preparing for examinations. Several said they had also been unable to take part in online courses and academic programmes that require stable internet service.

Traders also raised concerns over the continued shutdown, saying business activity now depends heavily on internet-based tools such as online banking, digital payments, contact with suppliers and customers, and access to market information. Some said they had to travel to other places where connectivity was available in order to complete essential transactions and stay in touch with business partners.

Residents seek restoration

Local youth and social activists said the suspension had also reduced residents’ access to information and limited their ability to remain connected with developments at the national and international level.

Residents appealed to the federal government, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and other relevant institutions to restore mobile internet services in the affected areas without delay. They said the continued shutdown was disrupting education and business activity while also making it harder for people to stay in contact with relatives, public institutions and emergency services when required.

According to Dawn, attempts were made to contact district administration officials and other relevant authorities for their position on the matter, but no official response had been received by the time the report was filed.