Verified Insights PK, Lahore, September 2025 — Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has confirmed that internet users nationwide may face slow connectivity due to a submarine cable cut near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The incident has affected partial bandwidth capacity on the SMW4 and IMEWE systems, two of Pakistan’s critical undersea connections to the global internet.

What Happened?

According to PTCL’s official statement, the disruption occurred in Saudi waters, damaging key submarine cables that connect Pakistan with international networks. These cables—SMW4 (South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4) and IMEWE (India-Middle East-Western Europe)—carry a significant portion of Pakistan’s internet traffic.

As a result, users nationwide reported internet slowdowns and outages, particularly during peak hours. Data from Down Detector showed a sharp rise in complaints on Saturday morning, with reports peaking by 9 a.m.

PTCL assured customers that its teams, along with international partners, are working around the clock to restore the damaged links. In the meantime, alternative bandwidth arrangements are being deployed to minimize disruption.

Why Submarine Cable Cuts Matter

Submarine cables are the backbone of global internet connectivity, carrying nearly 99% of international data traffic. When one of these cables is damaged, millions of users can face slow browsing speeds, difficulties streaming, and interrupted online services.

The PTCL submarine cable cut highlights how dependent Pakistan’s internet is on a limited number of international cables. Disruptions not only affect households and businesses but can also impact digital banking, e-commerce, and IT exports that rely on uninterrupted global connectivity.

Recent Developments: Africa-1 Cable Project

Earlier this year, Pakistan linked to the new Africa-1 submarine cable, a 10,000-kilometre-long system designed to enhance bandwidth capacity. This cable connects Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and France, providing an additional route for data traffic.

Approved by PTCL’s Board of Directors in 2020 at $59.5 million, the project is expected to be fully operational by early 2026. Once live, Africa-1 will significantly reduce reliance on older systems like SMW4 and IMEWE, improving resilience against future outages.

PTCL’s Response

In its statement, PTCL said:

“We sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during this time. Our teams are making every effort to restore services as quickly as possible. Bandwidth is being shifted to alternate routes to ensure minimal disruption.”

The company emphasized that customer experience remains its top priority and promised timely updates as repair work progresses.

What Users Should Expect

Until full restoration is achieved, users may notice:

• Slower browsing and downloads

• Buffering during video streaming

• Difficulty accessing international websites

• Interrupted video calls during peak hours

Businesses that depend heavily on global connectivity, such as outsourcing firms and financial services, are also expected to face challenges until the damaged links are repaired.

Looking Ahead

Experts suggest that Pakistan needs more redundancy in submarine cable connections to avoid large-scale disruptions in the future. With rising internet usage, especially in remote work, e-commerce, and digital services, robust infrastructure is essential.

The PTCL submarine cable cut serves as a reminder of the country’s growing digital demands and the importance of diversifying connectivity routes. Projects like Africa-1 are steps in the right direction, but until they are fully functional, Pakistan remains vulnerable to such disruptions.

Conclusion

While the PTCL submarine cable cut near Jeddah has caused temporary inconvenience for users across Pakistan, efforts are underway to restore connectivity through repairs and alternative bandwidth. The incident underlines the urgent need for more reliable and diversified submarine cable systems to secure Pakistan’s digital future.