WANA: The telecommunications links to South Waziristan have been restored and journalists and locals have lauded the development. The agencyÂ’s telecommunications were cut off six months ago and according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL), the communication channels were disrupted when militants damaged the communication installations.
The disruption caused difficulties for residents of Wana and its surrounding areas and also disturbed journalists who were unable to fax or email their news stories, while the phone lines were also cut off from the rest of the country.
During March, Waziristan tribesmen under the leadership of Maulvi Nazir launched an operation against Uzebk militants and some sources said the communication linksÂ’ disruption was part of the operation to keep the media away from the emerging situation in the area.