Residents feel isolated, thanks to poor communication

SWAT:

Inadequate communication links in upper Swat have created a plethora of problems for people, especially students, who are virtually cut off from the rest of the world.

Telephone lines disrupted by the 2010 floods have not been restored, despite repeated demands by local communities.

“In spite of claims by elected representatives, our landlines have not been restored due to which residents are facing problems, said Attaur Rehman, a resident of Kalam. “We are virtually cut off from the rest of the world, but nobody bothers to address our issues.”

Kalam, considered amongst the most beautiful valleys in Swat, is located some 100 kilometres from Mingora. Every year, thousands of domestic and foreign tourists come to enjoy its breathtaking scenery.

Since the 2010 floods devastated the valley, washing away dozens of hotels, houses and agricultural land and disrupting telephone lines, the communication system has not been restored.

“In this age of technology, we are living in darkness, isolated from everyone. Since the floods hit the area, we have been limited to our desolate valley, said Habibullah, former union council nazim of Kalam.

“Today, communication is indispensable but who do we call for help when nobody pays  heed to our problems.” Giving an ultimatum to the government, he said, “If our telephone lines are not restored within one week, we will protest against the injustice.”

Faced with a number of issues including poor communication, the young generation is nevertheless very keen on getting an education in Kalam and Utror.

“We have to surmount a host of difficulties to get an education. Firstly, our schools remained closed for more than five months due to the harsh winter and snow. Second, we have no college, so our students have to move to the cities where they cannot afford heavy fees and residential expenses.

Despite all these problems, some of us manage to go to university but when we come to our hometown, we are deprived of internet and landlines which makes it difficult for us to excel in our educational career,” said Nazir Ahmed, a graduate student from Kalam valley.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the Kalam telephone exchange was shut down after mobile networks were installed in the valley.

“The company had to close the telephone exchange because the 900 telephone lines were not in use. The PTCL wireless network, however, is functional,” said Sajid, business manager for urban Swat.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2012.