Pakistan Internet Slowdown: Submarine Cable Cut Near Saudi Arabia Confirmed

**Internet Woes: Submarine Cable Cut Near Saudi Arabia Affects Pakistan’s Speed**

If you’ve noticed your internet dragging its feet lately, you’re not alone. A recent submarine cable cut near Saudi Arabia is the culprit behind slower internet speeds across various parts of Pakistan.

Federal Minister for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed the disruption, explaining that the issue stems from an international submarine cable cut near Jeddah. She assured the public that Pakistan is actively in touch with the relevant international authorities and will share updates on the restoration timeline as soon as they become available.

The minister acknowledged the significant impact this slowdown is having on businesses, highlighting the frustration caused by the current connectivity issues. Unfortunately, international organizations have yet to provide a clear timeline for repairing the damaged cable, with assessments of the extent of the damage still underway.

This isn’t an entirely new problem; a global submarine cable near Saudi Arabia experienced a similar cut on September 6th, and it remains unrestored. That incident partially affected bandwidth capacity on the SMW4 and IMEWE systems, leading to previous connectivity woes in Pakistan.

Beyond the immediate international incident, Shaza Fatima also pointed to a core internal challenge: Pakistan’s ongoing shortage of broadband spectrum. She mentioned that discussions are in progress with PTCL officials to tackle this critical matter, aiming for long-term improvements in the country’s internet infrastructure. For now, we await further news on when our online experience will return to full speed.