IT Secretary Dr Zarar Hashim stated on Thursday that Pakistan’s recent internet service disruption, triggered by damage to undersea cables, could take four to five weeks before full restoration. The announcement came during a meeting of the Standing Committee on IT and Telecom held at Islamabad IT Park, where committee members raised concerns over persistent connectivity issues and slow internet speeds. According to NetBlocks, a global internet access monitoring organisation, a series of submarine cable outages in the Red Sea have affected multiple countries, including India and Pakistan.
In response to queries raised by committee member Sadiq Memon, who questioned why internet problems continue despite the planned addition of new cables, Dr Hashim explained that repairing submarine cables requires specialised ships. He disclosed that three additional cables are expected to be operational within 12 to 18 months, enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with Europe. Agreements to bring these new cables to Pakistan have already been signed, signifying a long-term plan to improve resilience and capacity in the country’s digital infrastructure.
Dr Hashim elaborated that multiple submarine cables — four to five in total — have been damaged off the coast of Yemen, severely disrupting internet connectivity across the region. He highlighted that the ongoing conflict in Yemen has delayed repair efforts, making it difficult for repair vessels to access the affected areas. “This is not just one or two cables; several have been affected,” he noted, stressing the scale of the challenge. The damage has compounded existing connectivity problems and left many users across Pakistan facing intermittent service and slower browsing speeds.
Damage to submarine cables is not unusual and has long been considered a major vulnerability in global communications. According to the International Cable Protection Committee, there are between 150 and 200 outages worldwide every year, or roughly three incidents each week. Most of these occur due to human activities such as fishing and anchoring, while natural hazards like ageing, abrasions and equipment failure also contribute to service interruptions. The laying and maintenance of these underwater cables were traditionally managed by consortia of major telecom operators, but in recent years internet giants have stepped in to handle much of the infrastructure as data demands grow worldwide. Currently, about 1.4 million kilometres of fibre optic cables lie on the ocean floor, providing essential connectivity for trade, financial transactions, public services, digital health and education. Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to secure additional cables and diversify its connectivity routes reflect the country’s push to safeguard its digital lifeline amid an increasingly interconnected global economy.
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