Islamabad, April 13, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Less Developed Areas here on Monday reviewed telecom and connectivity challenges in Chitral with officials pointing to infrastructure gaps, power shortages and coordination issues as key hurdles.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman informed the committee that the number of network towers in Chitral had reached 142 following recent installations. However, he said the region continues to face network congestion due to load shedding and limited infrastructure. The meeting of the commttee was chaired by Senator Niaz Ahmed,
The PTA chief noted that Chitral is currently served by only a single optical fiber line, making the network vulnerable. Any damage to the cable, often during development work by the National Highway Authority (NHA), results in widespread service disruptions. The PTA has requested better coordination so it can be informed before such projects begin.
He said spectrum availability had been a major issue in the past, but a recent auction of 480 MHz spectrum was expected to help reduce congestion. He added that while some areas were connected through fiber, others relied on microwave links, stressing that 5G services require fiber infrastructure and cannot function on microwave systems.
Highlighting power-related challenges, he said loadshedding severely impacted telecom services, as backup batteries provide only limited support. Although generators can be used, their reliance on diesel makes them costly and impractical amid the ongoing energy crisis.
Committee members said telecom companies earn significant revenue and must ensure improved service delivery, especially in underserved regions. The PTA chairman informed the meeting that the government has directed the allocation of a special budget for less developed areas.