Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA, the telecom regulator) Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman carried out a PTA chairman visit across Islamabad and Rawalpindi to check voice calls, network performance and mobile internet after the deadline for operators to improve services in the twin cities expired on October 31.
Representatives of all mobile operators travelled with him. He made calls at several stops and used software-based tests for data speed and quality. Where problems showed up, he told company officials to correct them immediately.
Where the chairman checked coverage
The PTA chairman visit took in Blue Area, sectors G-7, G-8, G-9 and G-11, and Srinagar Highway. The route focused on places where residents and office workers routinely need steady calls and 4G data.
Hafeez-ur-Rehman said operators had already been given targets for better service. He stated that PTA would not compromise on standards and would give no relaxation to firms that fall short. He linked that stance to consumers’ need for quality mobile service, uninterrupted 4G connectivity, and quicker gains as 5G is prepared for launch. He also said PTA staff would work more in the field instead of staying only in offices.
Earlier drive tests and next steps
Last week, PTA Director General Enforcement Brigadier (retd) Amir Shahzad led drive tests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Sites included Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Margalla Road, Iran Avenue, Peshawar Road, 26 Number Chungi, Tarnol and Islamabad International Airport. The team also checked the Express Highway and T-Chowk Rawat.
During those tests, the DG Enforcement spoke by phone with operator representatives about quality and network faults. He said PTA would send companies reports on coverage gaps and order them to close those gaps without delay. He described quality mobile and internet service as the authority’s top priority.
Together, the chairman’s inspection and the earlier enforcement drive underline that the October 31 cut-off has passed and that PTA expects fixes on the ground, not only paper pledges.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Last week: PTA DG Enforcement Brigadier (retd) Amir Shahzad ran drive tests across major Islamabad and Rawalpindi corridors, the airport, Express Highway and T-Chowk Rawat, and contacted operators about service issues.
- October 31: Deadline ended for mobile operators to address coverage gaps and service problems in the twin cities.
- After the deadline: Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman toured Blue Area, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-11 and Srinagar Highway, tested calls and data himself, and ordered immediate repairs where gaps were found.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad aur Rawalpindi mein mobile service behtar karne ki deadline 31 October ko khatam ho gayi. PTA ke chairman ne khud call aur internet check kiye aur operators ke saath field mein gaye. Jahan signal ya data kamzor mila, wahan foran theek karne ka hukum diya. Aam users ke liye matlab yeh hai ke regulator ab office se nikal kar asl roads par quality dekh raha hai.
