October 25, 2005
Pakistanis given free mobile phone use during quake distress
While the people of Pakistani-Kashmir continue to deal with the horror of this month's earthquake, their Government has loosened some of the military restrictions which have long been imposed on the disputed territory, reports ABC.net.au
For the first time, people in the region are now able to use mobile phones. The Government has allowed a network to be established in the regional capital Muzaffarabad, to enable survivors to phone relatives and friends for free.
..."We are offering free calls from three kiosks set up in the entire Muzaffarabad and we are offering free calls international calls to anybody who can make a call to his loved ones, said Saadat Mumtaz, the countrywide distributor for the Pakistani telco that is running the service.
... And in a few months, it is most probable that these people will go back to having no mobile phone coverage again."
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