Submarine Cable Cut Near Saudi Arabia Slows Internet in Pakistan

Internet users across Pakistan are currently experiencing frustratingly slow speeds, confirmed to be the result of a submarine cable cut near Saudi Arabia.

Federal Minister for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, explained that the disruption stems from an international submarine cable cut in Jeddah. She assured the media that Pakistan is actively engaged with the concerned international authorities regarding the incident. Updates on the restoration timeline will be shared with the public as soon as they are available.

The Minister acknowledged the significant challenges businesses are facing due to the reduced internet speeds. However, she noted that international organizations have not yet provided a clear timeline for repairing the damaged cable, as a full assessment of the extent of the damage is still underway.

Beyond the immediate international incident, Shaza Fatima also pointed out a persistent internal issue: the shortage of broadband spectrum within Pakistan. She mentioned ongoing discussions with PTCL officials to find a resolution for this critical matter.

This disruption, which has been affecting connectivity since September 6, partially impacts the bandwidth capacity on crucial systems such as SMW4 and IMEWE, contributing to the current widespread internet issues in Pakistan.