22 January 2004	Thursday	29 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 21: A PTCL team of senior officers visited Orangi and New Karachi telephone exchanges in view of increasing complaints of faulty telephones in these areas.

The team from Islamabad included Executive Vice President (Operations) Headquarter, Tanvir Ahmed, Chief Engineers Naimul Huq and Parvez Mehtab. The team listened to the problems of the people and staff and examined the causes hindering the provision of better telecom and customer services.

It came to the light that major cause of telephone faults in these areas was the development works started by various utility organizations as a result of which the PTCL network suffered major damage.

It was noted that because of encroachments in certain areas of New Karachi and Orangi Town, the cabinets and telephone poles have come within the walls of houses as a result they have become inaccessible for staff.

Besides, in some areas telephone cabinets are being burnt while at some places, the PTCL network has suffered damage as certain residents, at their own, tried to obtain the utility service.

It was also ascertained that at some places, the sewerage lines have damaged the cables. The PTCL has requested the City District Government to communicate prior information to the PTCL before starting any development work so that possible damage to customers could be avoided.

The senior officials issued orders for emergency restoration of faulty telephones and for removal of certain technical defects. The concerned divisional engineers were asked to submit progress reports to their general managers on daily basis.-APP