Internet Services in Pakistan Likely to be Disrupted After Damage to Submarine Cable
Internet users in Pakistan may face slower speeds and disruptions. This is because a submarine cable was damaged near the Saudi coast. PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) shared this update with its customers. The cable cut has affected some key internet systems. So our Viewers can also face slow internet while applying for PM Electric Bike Scheme 2025.
What Happened?
A submarine cable system was damaged in Saudi waters, near Jeddah. These cables carry internet data across countries. When they are damaged, internet speed and stability can suffer.
PTCL said that two major systems are affected:
- SMW4 (South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4)
- IMEWE (India-Middle East-Western Europe)
These systems help bring global internet traffic to Pakistan. Because of this damage, some internet capacity has been lost.
What It Means for Users
Due to the cable cut, people in Pakistan may see:
- Slow internet during busy times
- Problems while streaming videos
- Delays in loading websites
- Trouble in video calls or online meetings
The issue may not affect everyone at the same time. But peak hours will be the most difficult. This is when more people are online, like in the evening or during work-from-home hours.
PTCL’s Response
PTCL has informed the public that their teams are working on the problem. They are:
- Talking to international partners to fix the cable quickly
- Using other routes to provide internet service
- Arranging backup bandwidth to reduce the slowdown
PTCL has asked people to be patient. They said they are doing everything they can to keep services running.
What Are Submarine Cables?
Submarine cables are long wires laid under the sea. They carry internet and phone data between countries. These cables are strong but can still get damaged.
Damage can happen due to:
- Ship anchors dragging the cables
- Earthquakes under the sea
- Underwater landslides
- Fishing activities in deep waters
When one of these cables breaks, internet traffic must move through other cables. This causes slower speeds or outages.
Why This Affects Pakistan
Pakistan depends on submarine cables for most of its international internet. If one or more cables get damaged, there are fewer paths for data to travel. That means more pressure on the remaining systems.
The SMW4 and IMEWE cables are very important for Pakistan. Losing even part of their capacity can affect millions of users. These systems help support:
- Office work over the internet
- Banking and e-commerce systems
- Government websites and services
- Schools and online classes
- Hospitals and remote healthcare
So, even a small issue in one cable can have a big impact.
What Can You Do?
While the issue is being fixed, here are some tips to manage your internet:
- Avoid large downloads during peak hours
- Watch videos in lower quality to save bandwidth
- Pause automatic updates on apps and software
- Use offline options where possible
- Be patient if websites take longer to load
If your work depends on the internet, try to adjust your schedule. Try using internet during early morning hours when the traffic is lower.
When Will It Be Fixed?
PTCL has not given a specific date for when things will be normal again. Fixing submarine cables takes time. Teams may need to send special ships to the location. They have to:
- Find the exact damaged spot
- Pull the cable to the surface
- Fix or replace the part
- Test the connection again
This can take a few days to a couple of weeks. PTCL and its partners are working as fast as possible.
Final Words
This is not the first time Pakistan’s internet has been affected by a cable cut. These problems happen from time to time. But service providers usually manage the situation by rerouting the traffic or using backup lines.
PTCL is actively working to reduce the impact. Still, users may feel some slowdown in the coming days, especially in the evenings.
Stay patient and try to use your internet wisely. Once the cable is repaired, things will return to normal.
