GILGIT: The Special Communications Organization (SCO) has restored optical fiber connectivity in several parts of Gilgit-Baltistan after landslides and heavy rains damaged communication infrastructure earlier this month, officials said.

According to a press release issued by SCO, severe rainfall and landslides between March 7 and March 9 disrupted optical fiber cables at multiple locations in Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Darel and Tangir areas.

Authorities said that restoration work could not begin immediately due to harsh weather conditions, continuous rainfall and road blockages. From March 10, SCO dispatched optical fiber maintenance teams to the affected areas, who carried out repair operations despite difficult terrain and adverse weather.

The teams repaired damaged cables and laid new optical fiber at several locations between Shatial, Darel, Tangir, Dasu, Besham and Boshidas. Several jointing kits were also replaced and refreshed during the maintenance work.

Officials said the optical fiber link between Dasu and Besham was restored on March 12, while connectivity between Shatial and Darel, and Shatial and Tangir, was restored on March 13. Similarly, optical fiber services between Dasu and Boshidas, and between Shatial and Barsin, were fully restored on March 15. Work to further improve optical signal levels is continuing.

According to SCO officials, internet and communication services in Gilgit-Baltistan were not completely disrupted during the outages as an alternative communication route through Babusar Top remained operational.

Officials added that the optical fiber network between Sazin and Keigah spans around 41 kilometres through extremely rugged mountainous terrain, where teams face significant challenges while climbing steep slopes to carry out maintenance work. Temporary road closures between Keigah and Samar Nala due to the construction work on the Karakoram Highway also created difficulties for the repair teams.

Despite these challenges, SCO teams continued round-the-clock efforts and successfully restored communication links in the affected areas.

Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote mountainous region in northern Pakistan bordering China and Afghanistan, often faces communication disruptions due to landslides, extreme weather and the fragile nature of infrastructure along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Maintaining reliable connectivity in such terrain remains a major logistical challenge for telecom operators and government agencies.