Pakistan is set to experience a significant improvement in its internet infrastructure with the activation of a new undersea cable under the 2Africa Pearls project. The cable stretches 45,000 kilometers and has a capacity of 180 terabits per second, promising to tackle the country’s long-standing connectivity issues. As one of 33 nations involved in the project, Pakistan is poised to see its digital bandwidth double once the system becomes operational.
Currently, the country relies on just 8 terabytes of bandwidth from existing cables, which has fallen short of meeting the increasing demand for faster internet. The new cable will add 24 terabytes of bandwidth, easing the load on existing infrastructure and benefiting users of popular platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. It is expected to provide smoother access to online services, particularly for freelancers and professionals who have been struggling with unreliable internet.
The widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass content restrictions has further strained Pakistan’s already limited internet infrastructure, slowing down speeds for many users. The government has acknowledged the issue, with the Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, admitting that the current internet standards fall short of global benchmarks. To address these challenges, Pakistan is also preparing to expand its digital capacity with four new internet lines, including those that will support 5G services, scheduled to be added next year.
Slow internet speeds have also sparked criticism in political circles. PPP has raised concerns over the government’s handling of digital policies, with Member of Parliament Shazia Marri criticizing the Digital Nation Bill for not addressing core problems like poor connectivity. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, speaking at Sindh University’s Convocation in Jamshoro, urged young people to advocate for their digital rights. He accused the authorities of attempting to restrict access to online platforms and highlighted the importance of modern digital tools like bandwidth and fiber-optic cables in driving progress.
Bilawal further compared digital infrastructure to traditional tools of development such as roads and ports, underscoring its importance for the country’s future. He warned against efforts to control and limit internet access, stressing that such actions could hinder technological and economic advancements.
The 2Africa Pearls project represents a critical step forward for Pakistan’s internet capabilities. By significantly increasing bandwidth and addressing ongoing connectivity issues, it has the potential to improve access for millions of users. This upgrade is not just a technical enhancement; it is an opportunity to reshape how people across the country work, communicate, and engage with the digital world.
