Karachi, September 6, 2025 – Internet users across Pakistan are facing slow browsing speeds and intermittent connectivity issues after submarine cable cuts were reported in Saudi waters near Jeddah.
The disruption has affected partial bandwidth capacity on the SMW4 and IMEWE systems, two major international submarine cable networks that provide internet connectivity to Pakistan.
According to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the damage to submarine cables is causing service degradation, particularly during peak usage hours. Customers may experience slower speeds while streaming, browsing, or using cloud-based services until the issue is fully resolved.
PTCL explained that its international partners are prioritizing repair work on the affected submarine cables to restore connectivity as quickly as possible. In the meantime, local technical teams are actively working to arrange alternative bandwidth routes in order to minimize the impact on customers.
Submarine cables play a vital role in ensuring global internet connectivity, carrying more than 95% of international data traffic. Any disruption in these undersea communication links often results in internet slowdowns, especially in countries like Pakistan, which rely heavily on them for international bandwidth.
This is not the first time Pakistan has experienced such issues. Previous instances of submarine cable cuts have similarly caused disruptions in internet services, underlining the country’s reliance on a limited number of undersea cable systems.
PTCL has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore normal services at the earliest. The company has also expressed gratitude to users for their patience and cooperation during this period of technical difficulty.
Industry experts note that internet slowdowns due to submarine cable cuts highlight the need for additional cable systems and diversified connectivity routes for Pakistan. Increased redundancy in international bandwidth could help reduce the impact of such incidents in the future.
For now, users are advised to expect possible delays during high-traffic hours until the repairs are completed. PTCL and its global partners are working round the clock to ensure smooth internet services are restored as soon as possible.