South Waziristan, March 29, 2026 — For more than two months residents of Lower South Waziristan have faced persistent mobile and internet outages that have severely disrupted daily life and local commerce. Users of major telecom networks report weak or no signals and repeated internet shutdowns, leaving people cut off from essential communications, Dawn and ANI report.
Members of the Wazir tribe say tehsils including Wana and Birmal have seen especially unreliable mobile coverage. Localities identified as worst affected include Spin, Tanai, Azam Warsak, Ghowa Khowah, Dabkot, Sholam and Raghzai, where basic phone and data services are frequently unavailable.
The communication blackout has hit students, traders, journalists and small business owners. Students are unable to join online classes, submit assignments or access study materials, raising concerns about lasting academic setbacks. Traders and shopkeepers report financial losses from stalled transactions and difficulty coordinating with customers and suppliers. Journalists say limited connectivity has made reporting harder and further isolated these remote tribal areas.
Residents have appealed to the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to restore services, warning that prolonged outages could inflict long-term damage on the region’s economy and education. Authorities have not provided an official explanation or timeline for repairs, deepening public frustration and calls for urgent action.
This report is based on a syndicated feed and is published as received.
