Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suffered a loss of Rs 329.88 million in NWFP and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during the current war on terrorism, as on October 30, 2009. In a written reply, the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division informed the National Assembly that total amount of loss suffered by telecommunication networks in NWFP/FATA during the war on terrorism stood at Rs 329.88 million.
During the war 127 buildings/establishments, 51 towers and 87 PTCL Exchanges were completely or partially damaged. The operators have successfully restored the network in Districts Swat, Bannu, Mingora and Malakand Division etc.
At present the network in Districts Dir, DI Khan, Bajour Agency, Peshawar, Bannu, Kurram Agency is being restored by the respective operators. At other areas/locations like, South Waziristan, Orakzai Agency and Khyber Agency, the operators shall undertake the restoration and rehabilitation of their network when the law and order situation improves, he added.
This is sad! And shocking!
Does PTA have to cover up the losses of cellular operators (damage to towers etc) ?