Over 9,200 telecom tower theft cases reported in 11 months, Senate panel told

Pakistan's telecom infrastructure suffered more than 9,200 incidents of theft and vandalism in 11 months, primarily targeting diesel fuel and equipment, a Senate sub-committee was told on Monday.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said roughly 16% of the country's cellular infrastructure had been affected, pointing to persistent security failures across all four provinces.

How widespread is telecom theft in Pakistan?

Telecom tower theft has affected around 16% of Pakistan's cellular infrastructure, with over 9,200 cases recorded in just 11 months.

Sindh recorded the highest number at 3,938 cases, followed by Punjab with 2,827, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 1,668 and Balochistan with 716. Enforcement has remained weak, with FIRs often going unregistered without political influence.

Which provinces recorded the most telecom theft cases?

The PTA provided a provincial breakdown showing Sindh led with 3,938 cases across 31 districts, followed by Punjab with 2,827 incidents across 38 districts. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 1,668 cases across 25 districts, while Balochistan accounted for 716 incidents across 26 districts.

Senator Kamran Murtaza pointed to the severity of the situation in Balochistan, saying equipment theft was widespread. "Too many cases in Balochistan, they steal equipment and run away," he said, adding that 33 out of 34 districts are no-go areas. He also alleged that security guards at telecom sites were complicit in the theft.

Why are diesel generators a primary target for telecom thieves?

Prolonged power outages of eight to nine hours have forced telecom towers to rely heavily on diesel generators, making fuel stocks a recurring target. PTA officials told the committee that CCTV installation at tower sites is the responsibility of operators but is not compulsory, leaving many sites without adequate security.

Senator Sadia Abbasi, who convened the sub-committee, called for stricter enforcement and urged that operators be directed to ensure mandatory FIR registration. A PTA representative acknowledged the enforcement gap, telling the committee that "theft issues are not new" and that "these thefts are not seriously considered by authorities."

Can solar energy solve Pakistan's telecom theft problem?

Proposals to shift telecom towers to solar energy were raised but met with caution. PTA officials warned that alternative infrastructure faces similar risks, with one official stating plainly: "Solar panels can also be stolen."

Officials also cautioned that 5G deployment would significantly increase energy requirements, with battery capacity needs rising to around 20 kW compared to 6 to 12 kW for existing sites. The shift to cleaner energy, while desirable, does not eliminate the underlying security problem.

What has the Universal Service Fund reported about theft at rural telecom sites?

The Universal Service Fund (USF), which has deployed more than 4,000 telecom sites in rural and remote areas, reported over 300 theft incidents at its own installations. USF officials warned that operators remain reluctant to expand into high-risk regions due to repeated losses.

USF operates under a board with its chief executive appointed by the prime minister. It is funded through a 1.5% levy on telecom operators' gross revenue minus interconnect charges, generating around PKR 8 to 10 billion annually.

What is the impact of telecom theft on students and communities?

Lawmakers raised concern about the broader social consequences of infrastructure theft. Senator Afnan Ullah said students in underserved and theft-prone regions were unable to attend online classes when towers went offline. Senator Abbasi added that poor connectivity was forcing migration to major cities, where the cost of living is higher.

The committee specifically sought detailed theft reports for Qila Abdullah, Turbat, Lakki Marwat and Bannu, and urged authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply in those areas to reduce dependence on backup generators.

What downtime limits has the PTA introduced for telecom operators?

The PTA told the committee it had introduced stricter network downtime thresholds: 5% at union council level, 3% at tehsil level, 2% at district level and 1% nationwide. Lawmakers expressed skepticism about whether these limits were being enforced on the ground.

The committee underscored that reliable telecommunications services are essential for economic activity, governance and public welfare, particularly in remote and underserved areas where theft continues to disrupt coverage.