Pakistan is experiencing widespread internet disruptions, frustrating users and putting businesses under strain nationwide.
These issues, attributed to damaged submarine cables, have sparked concerns and speculation about their cause.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that repairs to the damaged cables, which have been disrupting internet services, are expected to be completed by early October.
Until then, slow internet speeds are likely to persist. This prolonged slowdown has already resulted in significant economic losses, with both the business community and internet service providers (ISPs) attributing the disruptions to government efforts to monitor online traffic.
The nationwide decline in internet speeds has been evident, with unreliable mobile data making WhatsApp difficult to use, especially for sending and receiving media and voice notes.
Broadband services have also been impacted, leading to slow browsing speeds and disruptions to online activities.
The PTA has identified faults in two submarine cables, SMW4 and AAE-1, as the primary cause of the slowdown. Repairs to the SMW4 cable are expected to be completed by early October, with work on the AAE-1 cable to follow, which should improve internet speeds.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has denied allegations that the government is deliberately causing these disruptions, stating that efforts are underway to upgrade the web management system to better address cybersecurity threats.
This update comes after PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman was questioned by lawmakers during a National Assembly panel, where he had previously estimated that cable repairs would be completed by August 27.
Furthermore, the ongoing slow internet speeds in Pakistan could lead to significant economic losses, including Rs12 billion annually, Rs3 billion in reduced telecom revenue, and up to $300 million due to internet disruptions.
This situation may also push multinational companies to consider relocating their back offices out of Pakistan.