Islamabad – As flash floods and landslides impact parts of Pakistan during the ongoing monsoon season, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an urgent advisory to telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted communication services and support relief efforts.
The PTA has established the National Emergency Telecommunication Coordination Centre (NETCC) to coordinate emergency telecom measures and oversee the implementation of contingency plans, ensuring mobile and internet services remain operational in affected areas.
Telecom operators are directed to activate emergency protocols immediately, safeguard critical infrastructure in vulnerable regions, and report any major technical failures to PTA Headquarters without delay. Service restoration progress must be reported every six hours to enable real-time monitoring.
The advisory emphasizes public awareness by requiring operators to broadcast flood alerts, evacuation instructions, and emergency contacts in national and regional languages for timely response and safety.
Additional measures include deploying temporary mobile units in severely affected areas, activating local loop operator franchises to handle complaints, and staffing mobile top-up points for user assistance.
Essential services such as SIM issuance and balance recharge must continue uninterrupted. Trained personnel are to be deployed locally for field operations and on-ground support.
The PTA also called on operators to prioritize communication services for relief and emergency teams, highlighting the vital role of telecom networks in disaster management.
