Local authorities suspend telecom services in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The provincial government has directed private telecommunication companies to suspend their services until further orders in the provincial capital and 14 districts.

The decision to order suspended mobile phone services in Balkh province was made at a hurriedly called meeting of the provincial Military Council chaired by the governor yesterday.

The private telecom companies for the first time on Saturday night suspended their services in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh, angering the local government.

The Provincial Military Council meeting decided to stop mobile companies from functioning if they again suspended services at night.

And this decision was enforced after telecommunication companies again suspended their services again on Sunday night.

Mohammad Taqi, head of the Telecommunication and Information Technology Department, said the companies twice suspended their services without informing local authorities. He believed the move contributed to insecurity in the city.

Afzal Hadid, head of the Provincial Council, criticised the local government and stressed a permanent solution should be found to the issue.

Residents of Mazar-i-Sharif express their concern about night time blackout of mobile phone services. He said local residents faced immense problems in the absence of mobile phone services.

Mohamamd Din, a shopkeeper, said he used to leave home early in the morning and could not know about the situation back at home.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said telecommunication companies on their demand terminated services at night for a short period.

nh/ma