In G-B, even corresponding by mail becomes a struggle

Heavy snowfall, lack of postal services compound communication problems.

ISLAMABAD: In the absence of telecommunication services, people in far-flung areas of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) depend solely on the postal service.

However due to the heavy snowfall this season, the people have been finding it hard to send and receive letters. The post offices have been grossly understaffed due to postmen being unable to come to work due to heavy snow.

“The postal service comes under the federal government and despite repeated requests, the Ministry of Postal Service is delaying the approval to recruit more people and make more post offices in far-off areas,” said Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Ayub Shah.

He added that the locals are finding it extremely difficult to stay in touch with others via email, due to disrupted services. To make things worse, the snowfall has blocked the routes of postal staff, dealing a blow to the postal services.

He lamented the fact that in times when people are constantly connected, people in G-B are lacking even the basic facility of postal service.

An official of the concerned ministry, wishing to remain anonymous, said that there is need of increasing staff and establishing more post offices in different parts of the country. However, the concerned minister does not interest in any area except Balochistan, where he is from, the official added. He said that the sitting minister and his predecessor, both from Balochistan, worked a lot to develop the postal infrastructure in their province.

Federal Minister for Postal Service Sardar Muhammad Omar Gorgage did not respond despite repeated attempts to contact him on his cellphone.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2013.