KARACHI: Probe demanded into PTCL fibre link damage
KARACHI, April 8: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) demanded of the government to launch an inquiry into Pakistan Telecommunication Company’s fibre link damage, which cut off the country’s link with the world for several hours.
“We demand the government to order an independent inquiry into this incident, nominating representatives of media, ISP’s and other private sector operators, to ascertain the losses and to recommend ways to provide safeguard against such shocks caused by negligence,” a statement issued by the Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (ISPAK) said.
Country’s telecommunication facility experienced a crisis, couple of days ago, when its connection with the outside world came to a halt when a fibre optic link of the PTCL got damaged by labours working on Layari Expressway.
The disconnection occurred at around 2.30pm on Friday when the operations of all the 72 ISPs came to a halt affecting the Internet users, who could not log on for several hours. The connection was restored after 13 hours.
“This incident is the manifestation of careless attitude and organisational inability of the PTCL at a crucial time when the whole world is expecting exceptional performance and vigilance from the communication agencies,” the ISPAK statement said.
The statement claimed that it was in the knowledge of the PTCL authorities that out of total connectivity of around 190 MB from outside world, 155 MB link passed through the work area of Lyari Expressway.
The Friday’s incident also troubled the international callers, who were unable to get connected after 2.30pm. A multinational company had to cancel an international video-conference at a local hotel due to the disconnection.
The ISPAK alleged that negligence of the PTCL had also caused heavy losses to ISPs and other services providers like TV channels.—PPI
