Internet services across Pakistan have returned to normal after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed the successful restoration of the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system. The cable fault had caused internet disruptions across the country since Thursday night, affecting users relying on international connectivity. With repairs completed, officials say internet traffic has now fully stabilized.
According to PTA, the disruption was caused by a technical fault in the SMW5 submarine cable, which carries a significant portion of Pakistan’s international internet traffic. The issue particularly impacted the international IP transit capacity of Transworld Associates (TWA), resulting in slower internet speeds and connectivity problems experienced by users across various regions.
During the outage, internet traffic was rerouted through alternate international links to reduce the impact on customers. This temporary arrangement helped maintain essential connectivity while Transworld Associates worked in coordination with the SMW5 Consortium to identify and resolve the fault. Although some users experienced slower browsing and interruptions, complete service outages were largely avoided through these backup routes.
The PTA said it remained in close contact with Transworld Associates and other stakeholders throughout the incident. The telecom regulator continuously monitored the situation and coordinated efforts to ensure that restoration work was completed as quickly as possible. Officials emphasized that minimizing disruption to consumers remained a top priority during the repair process.
Following the successful restoration of the SEA-ME-WE 5 cable, all internet traffic has now returned to normal levels. PTA confirmed that internet services are operating as usual across the country, with no remaining disruptions linked to the submarine cable fault. Users should now experience normal browsing speeds and stable connectivity.
The incident once again highlights Pakistan’s reliance on international submarine cable systems for global internet connectivity. Industry experts have long stressed the importance of strengthening network resilience through additional international links and backup infrastructure to reduce the impact of future cable faults. For now, internet services have stabilized, and authorities continue to monitor network performance to ensure uninterrupted connectivity nationwide.
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