The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently clarified the cause of widespread internet service disruptions, attributing them to faults in two of the seven submarine cables that connect Pakistan to the global internet. One of these cables suffered a significant 250GB outage due to rerouting through Iran and Qatar, while another cable was damaged near Karachi. To maintain connectivity, operators are rerouting traffic through other available cables, and teams are working to resolve the issues.
The PTA is monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that services are restored as soon as possible and promising to keep users updated on further developments. This clarification came a day after the PTA acknowledged the installation of a National Firewall System (NFS), a measure aimed at managing social media content, which had raised concerns about the cause of the disruptions.
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PTA Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman addressed the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, emphasizing that the recent disruptions were primarily due to submarine cable faults, not the newly installed NFS. He assured the committee that the faults would be cleared by August 27.
Rehman also explained that the NFS installation was part of a broader strategy to enhance national security and control social media, following a decision made during the previous PTI government’s rule. The firewall’s installation aligns with directives from the federal cabinet, and it is the third upgrade of the country’s web management system.
Additionally, the PTA provided the Lahore High Court (LHC) with four reasons for the recent internet disruptions, including the submarine cable fault, an error by an internet company on July 31, a cyberattack on Indian National Day (August 15), and the excessive use of VPNs, which also contributed to slower internet speeds. The LHC is currently hearing a petition against these unannounced internet service disruptions.
