THE social media is abuzz with numerous debates about the fate of students in the region that was previously called Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas).

A few days ago one of the hosts of Dawn TV’s popular programme, Zara hat kai, tweeted that a programme would enlighten the Higher Education Commission about the problems that are associated with online classes. He asked people for feedback about the issue.

I live in Fata and would like to avail these columns to inform the programme hosts to inform the HEC authorities about the dire situation in Fata.

The internet facilities in the region have been suspended since 2008! The government should either restore internet services or suspend online classes.

The students of Waziristan held a protest recently outside Miranshah Press Club. The MNAs and MPAs have made several in this respect requests but no one in the power corridors has responded positively.

Many universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have started online classes but students who reside in former Fata areas cannot take classes because there are no internet services.

The federal and KP governments should restore internet services on urgent basis.

Anas Tariq
Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2020