Pakistan’s mobile towers hit by over 9,000 theft, vandalism cases

More than 9,200 incidents of theft and vandalism targeting mobile phone towers have been recorded across Pakistan over the past 11 months, affecting 16% of cellular sites and disrupting telecom services, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said.

The disclosure comes as the PTA pushes operators and law enforcement to act faster on such cases.

How many mobile tower theft and vandalism incidents has Pakistan recorded?

The PTA has recorded more than 9,200 incidents of mobile tower theft and vandalism across Pakistan in the past 11 months. These incidents have affected 16% of the country's cellular sites, disrupting mobile and internet services nationwide.

The authority has now directed operators and law enforcement agencies to respond more urgently to such cases.

The authority has directed mobile operators to ensure the timely registration of First Information Reports in cases involving theft and vandalism. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to pursue such cases to their logical conclusion.

The incidents have raised concerns over the security and reliability of telecom infrastructure, since damage to cellular sites can disrupt mobile and internet services.

What is being done to address Pakistan's telecom infrastructure issues?

Consultations are underway between the Ministry of Law, the PTA and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to address issues affecting mobile towers and internet services. Telecom companies have also been asked to submit proposals aimed at resolving challenges facing the industry, the authority said.

What measures are planned to improve power supply to mobile towers?

Alongside efforts to address theft and vandalism, the PTA said work had begun on dedicated power infrastructure and smart grid systems for telecom sites to improve the reliability of electricity supplies. The authority is also negotiating with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, the Power Division and distribution companies to facilitate industrial power tariffs for telecom sites.

To address load-shedding at telecom sites, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. The committee will work on ensuring reliable electricity supplies to telecom towers through express feeders and smart transformers, the PTA said. The measures are aimed at strengthening telecom infrastructure and reducing disruptions to mobile and internet services across the country.