LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Residents of Lower South Waziristan have been facing severe communication difficulties for the past 10 days as mobile network signals and internet services in the region continue to deteriorate, significantly disrupting daily life, business activities and education.

Mobile signals and internet services are virtually non-existent, particularly in the Wana Tehsil areas of Spin, Tanai, Azam Warsak, Kalotai and Ghowa Khowa, among several other localities.

According to locals, mobile connectivity has remained unreliable for more than a week, with signals either extremely weak or completely unavailable in several areas.

Voice calls frequently suffer from poor audio quality, repeated disconnections and long delays in establishing contact, leaving residents struggling to maintain even basic communication.

Internet services have also been operating at extremely slow speeds over the last 10 days, making it difficult to send messages, access online platforms or conduct digital transactions in a timely manner.

Residents say the prolonged disruption is no longer merely a technical inconvenience but has developed into a serious social and economic challenge.

Families living abroad have found it particularly difficult to remain in contact with their relatives in the district during this period.

Traders and shopkeepers say online transactions, digital payments and mobile banking services have also remained largely disrupted during the perios.

Students in the region are among those most affected by the ongoing issue.

Community members fear that the continued neglect of telecom infrastructure is widening the digital divide and isolating the population from essential services.

Attempts were made to contact officials concerned for comment; however, due to the prevailing communication disruptions, no official response could be obtained.

KILLED: Two separate firing incidents were reported on other day in Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan, leaving two men dead and three children. Police officials confirmed both the incidents.

According to a police report, two persons were killed on the spot in Upper South Waziristan when unidentified individuals opened indiscriminate fire in Zirsar village of Makin Tehsil as they stepped out of their shop at around 8:00 pm. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Makin police station said the deceased were identified as Sajjid and Rizwan, residents of Makin. The attackers managed to flee after the incident.

In a separate incident, a mortar shell fired from an unknown direction landed near a house in Nargassi area of Birmal tehsil in Lower South Waziristan, injuring three children. The injured children were immediately provided medical assistance by local residents; however, their condition is stated to be out of danger.

Police officials said separate investigations into both incidents are under way.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026