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By Sabeeh Zanair :
Internet services across Pakistan have returned to normal following the repair of a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed.
The telecom regulator said the issue affecting the undersea cable link had been resolved and internet connectivity was operating without disruption.
Earlier, the PTA had warned users that they could experience temporary slowdowns or fluctuations in internet quality after a fault was detected in the SMW5 cable system, which is one of Pakistan’s key international connectivity routes.
The authority said Transworld Associates (TWA), in coordination with the SMW5 Consortium, worked to identify the cause of the fault and complete restoration efforts.
“Internet traffic was rerouted through alternative international links to minimise the impact and maintain service continuity as much as possible,” the PTA said in its statement.
The regulator added that it remained in contact with relevant stakeholders and would continue monitoring the country’s internet infrastructure to ensure stable services.
The latest disruption comes amid wider concerns over internet performance in Pakistan. In May, Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly that frequent power outages were among the major factors affecting telecom service quality.
In written responses submitted to parliament, the minister said unreliable electricity supply, increased dependence on solar power systems and reduced backup capacity at telecom sites had contributed to service challenges.
She also highlighted other factors affecting network reliability, including difficult geographical conditions, extreme weather, security-related restrictions, fibre-optic cable cuts, backhaul disruptions and equipment theft.
Shaza Fatima said Pakistan’s international connectivity had improved in recent years with the arrival of three new submarine cables. She added that fibre-optic infrastructure had expanded significantly, with fibre-based home internet connections increasing from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1 million within two years.
The government has said continued investment in digital infrastructure remains a priority as demand for high-speed internet services continues to grow across the country.
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