The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, held a meeting to address Pakistan’s ongoing internet slowdown. The committee was briefed by IT officials about severe disruptions caused by submarine cable damage. Members expressed concerns over the declining service quality and its impact on businesses, students, and ordinary users who rely heavily on stable online connectivity for daily activities.
Submarine Cables Severed near Yemen
During the session, IT and Telecom Secretary Zarrar Hasham Khan explained that multiple submarine cables were cut off the coast of Yemen. The damage involved important systems such as SMW4 and IMEWE, which connect Pakistan to the global internet. Because these cables carry a major portion of the country’s bandwidth, their damage has caused widespread slowdown. Officials said four to five cables were affected.
Direct Impact on Pakistan’s Internet
The IT Secretary highlighted that two of the damaged submarine cables were directly linked to Pakistan. With their operations disrupted, internet traffic had to be rerouted through alternative channels. Telecom companies are working to maintain services by adjusting bandwidth, but this has led to unstable speeds and delays. The slowdown is being felt nationwide, affecting both home users and corporate clients in critical sectors.
Repair Work May Take Weeks
Zarrar Hasham Khan further informed the committee that repairing submarine cables is a complex process requiring specialized ships. These repair vessels need to be dispatched to the affected region, and the restoration may take four to five weeks. Until then, users will continue facing slower internet speeds. He added that the incident shows how fragile the global internet infrastructure can be when facing unforeseen disruptions.
Concerns Raised over Future Connectivity
Committee member Sadiq Memon raised his concerns regarding the long-term reliability of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. He mentioned that people are frustrated since speed problems continue even though announcements about new cables being introduced have been made. Members stressed the importance of building a more resilient system, ensuring that future disruptions in international waters do not bring the country’s connectivity to a standstill.
Need for Strengthening Digital Infrastructure
The committee agreed that Pakistan must focus on strengthening its digital backbone by diversifying its submarine cable connections. Investing in alternative routes, backup systems, and faster repair arrangements could reduce the risks of future slowdowns. Officials acknowledged the concerns and assured that steps are being taken to enhance resilience. For now, users may face continued inconvenience until the damaged cables are fully restored.
