Internet Outage in Pakistan to Last 4–5 Weeks
Four to Five Weeks Needed to Repair Damaged Submarine Cables, Officials Reveal
By Zain Ul Abidin, Brandsynario
September 19, 2025
The Ministry of Information Technology told a National Assembly panel that fixing the undersea internet cables cut near Yemen will take four to five weeks. Officials warned that Pakistan will face continued slow internet speeds during this period.
Secretary IT Zarrar Hasham briefed the NA Standing Committee on Information Technology on Thursday. He said that four to five cables were damaged, not just one or two as first reported. He explained that the damage has already reduced internet speed across the country.
Hasham said the government plans to reduce future risks. He noted that three new submarine cables will be ready within the next 12 to 18 months. These cables will give Pakistan stronger connections to Europe and more reliable bandwidth.
He added that this expansion will help protect internet services during emergencies. “We will strengthen our global links and reduce outages,” he told the committee.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) issued a warning. It said that a separate cut to submarine cables in Saudi waters might also slow internet services during peak hours.
PTCL explained that the cuts affected the SMW4 (South Asia-Middle East-West Asia) and IMEWE (India-Middle East-Western Europe) networks. Both networks are key routes for Pakistan’s international internet traffic.
The damage off the coast of Yemen has caused the most serious disruption. Internet users across the country continue to report slow speeds and unstable connections.
Officials stressed that repair teams are working, but the process is complex and time-consuming. Ships must locate the exact points of damage and replace the cables under deep water.
The ministry assured the committee that the government is monitoring the repairs closely. They expect gradual improvements but warned that full restoration will take time.
Pakistan currently relies on a few submarine cables for its international bandwidth. Experts say the planned new links will provide essential backup and help prevent future problems.
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