The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Wednesday that repairs to the submarine cable causing widespread internet disruptions are expected to be completed by early October. Until then, internet services are likely to remain slow.
In recent weeks, internet speeds have plummeted, making it difficult for users to send or download media and voice notes on WhatsApp using mobile data. Even broadband connections have suffered, resulting in sluggish browsing experiences.
The business community and internet service providers (ISPs) have expressed concern, claiming that government efforts to monitor internet traffic, including the implementation of a so-called “firewall,” have exacerbated the slowdown and led to economic losses.
However, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of Information Technology, confirmed that the government is upgrading its “web management system” to address cybersecurity threats, but denied allegations that the government is intentionally slowing down internet speeds.
Freelancers Urge Immediate End to Internet Disruptions: PAFLA
The PTA, on the other hand, attributed the slowdown to issues with faulty submarine cables, specifically the SMW-4 and AAE-1 cables, dismissing concerns about the firewall’s role in the disruptions.
In a statement released today, the PTA clarified that the ongoing internet slowdown is primarily due to faults in two of the seven submarine cables that connect Pakistan internationally. “The fault in the SMW-4 submarine cable is likely to be repaired by early October 2024,” the telecom authority stated, noting that the repair of the AAE-1 cable should improve internet performance.