KARACHI, July 24 A fibre optic cable fault knocked out PIAs' computer system in Karachi, cutting off the airline's hub's link up with upcountry stations. However, no flights were affected as the flag carrier switched over to a back-up manual system.

PIA's spokesman told Dawn that the cable fault occurred at around 4am on Friday, resulting in the severing of the link between Karachi and other airports upcountry. “Staff of the PTCL arrived at around 11am and succeeded in providing an alternative cable link, which partially revived our system, re-linking Karachi with Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. However, we are still cut off from other airports,” he said when queried late Friday night. The spokesman added that the airline's local area network remained unaffected by the cable fault.

“No flights have been affected as we have a manual back-up system in place. In case there are any delays anticipated, we will inform the public through the media,” the spokesman said.

“It will take two to three days to fully restore the link,” he said.—Staff Reporter