THE Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) internet service subscribed on my number (0492728849) went stone dead recently. I made numerous calls to the local PTCL complaint number (0492763550), of which only two were attended and assurances were showered to redress the complaint. I also lodged my complaint (No 41) with the PTCL helpline 1218 as well. Nothing happened.

I then personally visited the local PTCL office. The officials on duty contacted the lineman, and directed him to get the problem fixed. Nothing happened. I made another visit, and this time a lineman did turn up at around 3:30pm. He spent some time locating the distribution point (DP), failed and left at 4pm sharp because the duty hours had ended. When I called him, he dropped my call abruptly, saying the search would continue later by the lineman who had initiated the connection.

I visited the PTCL local office once again the next day, met the same official and reiterated my complaint. The whole process of contacting the lineman was repeated. I was sent home again with the same hollow assurances.

Indeed, as was expected and feared, nothing happened. It is disheartening to see how things work in the country.

M. Nadeem Nadir
Kasur

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2025