Internet services across Pakistan slowed down on Saturday after a fault was detected in international submarine cables. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) confirmed the disruption and said repair work is underway.
According to PTCL, the fault occurred near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and has partially affected two important cable systems. These include the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and the India–Middle East–Western Europe (IMEWE) routes. Both systems carry a large portion of Pakistan’s international Internet traffic.
The company explained that the issue may cause slower browsing and streaming speeds, especially during peak evening hours. Users have already reported noticeable delays in loading websites and reduced video quality on streaming platforms.
To minimize the problem, PTCL said its international partners are working on urgent repairs to restore the damaged cables. Meanwhile, local teams are arranging alternative bandwidth to ensure Internet services continue with less disruption.
A PTCL spokesperson expressed appreciation for customers’ patience during this time. “We are taking every possible step to reduce the impact of the submarine cable fault,” the spokesperson said.
Despite efforts to stabilize services, Internet users may still experience interruptions until the repairs are completed. Businesses and individuals who depend heavily on stable connections have been particularly affected.
Experts note that submarine cable faults are not unusual and can take several days to resolve. Weather conditions, technical challenges, and the location of the fault often determine the speed of repairs.
For now, Internet speeds in Pakistan are expected to remain slower than normal. PTCL has assured that once repairs are finished, connectivity will return to regular levels.
The incident highlights how much Pakistan relies on international submarine cables to stay connected to the global Internet.
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