Public complaints regarding slow internet speeds in Pakistan have increased significantly in recent days. Addressing the situation in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Information Technology, Federal Secretary for IT and Telecom, Zarar Hashim clarified that the complete restoration of the damaged cables could take another four to five weeks.
During the meeting, committee member Sadiq Ali Memon raised a question about why internet speed issues persist despite Pakistan being connected to three new internet cables. Responding to this, the IT Secretary explained that the situation has become complicated due to the crisis in Yemen where several submarine cables have been cut along the coastal region. Among these, two cables providing connectivity to Pakistan have also been affected.
Hashim further added that repairing and restoring these damaged cables requires time, meaning that internet services are unlikely to improve immediately. However, service providers have shifted bandwidth to alternative routes to ensure there is no complete internet blackout in the country.
The recent slowdown of internet services in Pakistan has not only disrupted the daily lives of ordinary users but also adversely impacted the business sector, e-commerce operations and online education systems. Experts warn that if the issue continues for a prolonged period, it could have deeper negative consequences for the economy and Pakistan’s growing digital ecosystem.
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