Pakistan is expected to experience temporary internet slowdowns due to scheduled maintenance on an international submarine cable system. The disruption is expected to begin on 14 April 2026.
Duration of the Disruption
According to current reports, the slowdown may continue for up to 7 days, meaning internet performance could remain affected until around 21 April 2026, depending on how long maintenance work takes.
Reason Behind the Issue
The slowdown is linked to maintenance on undersea fiber-optic cables that carry a large portion of Pakistan’s international internet traffic. These cables are essential for global connectivity and require periodic maintenance.
Expected User Impact
During this period, users may experience slower browsing speeds, delays in streaming, and reduced performance in online services. However, complete internet shutdowns are not expected.
Backup Systems and Routing
Internet service providers usually reroute traffic through alternative cables to minimize disruption. While this helps maintain connectivity, some slowdown is still expected during peak usage hours.
Conclusion
In summary, the internet slowdown in Pakistan is expected from 14 April 2026 to around 21 April 2026, due to submarine cable maintenance. The issue is temporary, and normal service is expected to resume once maintenance is completed.