SCO Links Slow Internet in AJK, GB to Unrepaired Flood Damage, Seeks Rs1 Billion for Restoration

The Special Communications Organization (SCO) has attributed persistent slow internet speeds and telecom service disruptions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to infrastructure damaged by last year’s floods that has yet to be fully restored. The organization has now sought Rs 1.018 billion in additional funding to permanently rehabilitate affected telecom networks and improve connectivity in the region.

According to official documents, severe weather events, including flash floods, river flooding, landslides, and cloudbursts during July and August 2025, caused extensive damage to SCO’s telecommunications infrastructure across multiple areas of AJK and GB. The destruction disrupted communication services in several remote and high-altitude regions, forcing the operator to rely on temporary restoration measures.

The documents reveal that while emergency repairs helped restore basic connectivity, several communication systems continue to operate at reduced capacity. SCO has warned that these temporary arrangements are vulnerable to recurring faults, service degradation, and network congestion, contributing to ongoing connectivity issues experienced by users.

Optical Fiber Infrastructure Suffers Heavy Losses

According to the assessment, damage to optical fiber and transmission infrastructure is estimated at Rs 464.4 million.

The affected infrastructure includes:

• 40 kilometres of underground optical fiber cable
• 60 kilometres of aerial optical fiber cable
• 1,000 poles and related accessories
• 54 kilometres of copper cable

Several key fiber routes were severely damaged, including links connecting Bagh–Rera, Hunza–Sost, Kotli–Rawalakot, and Ochar Nullah–Dasu Dam, according to the documents.

Telecom Equipment and BTS Sites Also Damaged

The report further estimates losses of approximately Rs 354 million to telecom equipment and transmission infrastructure.

The damaged assets include:

• Four Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites
• Eight microwave towers and transmission dishes

The affected installations include telecom facilities located in Moel, Hatoon, Sarghaz Camp, and Thoredas, where infrastructure suffered significant damage due to flooding and landslides.

Civil Works Losses Estimated at Rs 200 Million

In addition to network and transmission infrastructure, SCO reported extensive damage to supporting civil works.

The documents show that the floods affected:

• 25 telecom site civil works installations
• 15 solar power systems and associated infrastructure
• 25 earthing points
• The estimated cost of restoring these facilities stands at Rs 200 million.

SCO said it immediately mobilized available resources and maintenance teams to restore maximum possible services following the disaster. However, the organization noted that temporary restoration measures have limited sustainability and remain prone to repeated technical faults.

The documents warn that many systems are still operating below optimal capacity, resulting in increased congestion, degraded service quality, and continued disruptions for users across the region.

To permanently restore services and address large-scale infrastructure losses, SCO has requested the early release of Rs 1.018 billion from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. The organization says timely funding is essential to rebuild damaged networks and ensure reliable communication services across AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

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