What changed on 31 October
The Islamabad network issue today moves from a repair window into scrutiny. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the federal body that oversees phone and data firms, set a cut-off of 31 October for carriers to strengthen signals and cut dropouts across the capital and Rawalpindi. That period is now over, and the regulator says it will treat remaining weak spots as a compliance matter rather than an open-ended request.
Officials had told companies to fill blind zones and restore steadier links for users who rely on mobiles for work, travel, and study in both cities.
Where PTA teams checked the airwaves
Brigadier (retired) Amir Shehzad, who leads the PTA’s enforcement wing, oversaw live road surveys of how networks behave in traffic. Routes included Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Margalla Road, Iran Avenue, Peshawar Road, 26 Number Chungi, Tarnol, and the capital’s international airport. Crews also measured performance on Express Highway and at T-Chowk Rawat.
While those runs were under way, the enforcement chief phoned carrier staff to talk through quality problems seen on the ground.
What follows for operators
Once the cut-off passes, the PTA chairman will walk the twin cities’ services himself, Shehzad said. The authority will also ask firms to explain where call and data quality still falls short. Carriers will get written summaries of remaining blind zones and must clear those faults at once, according to the same official.
He underlined that dependable voice and data sit at the top of the PTA’s agenda, and that the regulator will not soften its bar for service standards.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Before 31 October: PTA ordered mobile firms to close coverage holes and restore steadier links in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
- Drive-test period: Enforcement teams under Brig (r) Amir Shehzad surveyed Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Margalla Road, Iran Avenue, Peshawar Road, 26 Number Chungi, Tarnol, the airport, Express Highway, and T-Chowk Rawat.
- During surveys: The enforcement chief rang operator officials about quality while tests were running.
- 31 October: The repair window for twin-city network upgrades ends.
- After the cut-off: The PTA chair is due to inspect services in person; firms face queries on weak performance and must act on gap reports without delay.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad aur Rawalpindi mein mobile aur internet behtar karne ki PTA ki muhlat 31 October ko khatam ho gayi hai. Ab companies ko kamzor signal wale ilaqon ki report milegi aur foran theek karna hoga. PTA ka chairman khud service check karega. Aam users ke liye matlab yeh hai ke calls aur data ki shikayat ab zyada sakhti se dekhi jayengi.
