A FEW days ago, the Pakistan Cable Operators Association suspended its services to the subscribers in protest. The association had some issue with the K-Electric.

The issue cropped up when KE started removing the cable operators’ fiber optic wires from its poles. Amid this conflict many subscribers suffered for hours. They remained without the Internet and cable TV. One may imagine how painful it is to remain without the Internet and TV during these days when we are confined to our homes because of coronavirus pandemic.

This action by cable operators was illegal and unethical. How could they deprive their customers of the Internet and TV who pay them for these services regularly? Cable operators cannot justify this at all.

First, they are using electricity and telephone poles illegally as they do not have their own infrastructure. In this situation, they are certainly at fault, for they are dependent on KE and other such utility services.

What these cable operators have done should not be repeated in future. Although now for the time being the issue has been solved between two parties, a similar situation may arise any time.

The cable association does not have the right to deprive subscribers of their services. In case of a repeat of such tactics by cable operators, legal action should be taken against them.

Dr Alfred Charles
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2020