Futile exercise: PTA announces free calling facility for calamity-hit Murree

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced free on-net calling facility for calamity-hit Murree which is nothing more than a futile exercise.

The PTA has made a senseless announcement on January 9 of providing free on-net calling facility for people stranded in Murree and Galiyat without electricity and destroyed infrastructure due to heavy snowfall since January 7.

On Sunday, PTA said in Twitter message, “In view of emergency situation in Murree and Galliat areas, mobile phone users, currently present in these areas with no balance, have immediately been provided with free on-net calling facility.”

It added, “On the directions of PTA, cellular mobile operators have extended free calling facility on their own network to users, with zero balance, stranded in Galliat areas. Users may contact their concerned operators for more info.”

“On the directions of PTA, cellular mobile operators have extended free calling facility on their own network to users, with zero balance, stranded in Galliat areas. Users may contact their concerned operators for more info.”

Following the orders, tweets from major cellular companies have also come in to it initiate the enforcement of orders for the consumers stuck in the tourist destinations.

The delayed and senseless move of the telecommunication authority came forth for the destinations now having destroyed infrastructure.

Questions arises about the purpose of PTA move for calamity-hit areas when stranded people are deprived of electricity and mobile signals even before the day of disaster.

A netizen criticised and wrote, “It is good step but more better if PTA has done this by yesterday, when there was a high need.. it should be immediate in disasters.”

Another said that finally, the PTA has awaken now. A user mocked the announcement, saying, “No electricity, no battery charge, Lol.”

Other users termed it a good step by PTA but a bit delayed when the damage has done.