Pakistan’s recent internet disruptions have prompted international companies to relocate operations, causing widespread challenges for businesses and users. Among the notable changes, WhatsApp has shifted its session server routing abroad, resulting in connectivity issues for its users. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the relocation of WhatsApp’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) has been a key factor in these disruptions, particularly for those relying on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram during peak hours.
Despite claims by PTA of improved internet performance, businesses continue to bear the brunt of inconsistent services. Pakistan’s global rankings in internet speed have seen some improvement, with fixed-line services rising two tiers to 139th globally and mobile internet advancing three tiers to 97th. However, users and freelancers—more than two million of whom significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economy—remain deeply affected. Courts and government allies have voiced frustration over persistent slowdowns, reflecting the gravity of the issue within political and social circles.
Efforts to Address Submarine Cable Faults
The core of Pakistan’s internet challenges lies in recurring faults in its submarine cables, which form the backbone of its international connectivity. The most recent fault in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) cable near Qatar disrupted 1,000 gigabytes per second of data traffic. Telecom operators, including Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), worked to mitigate the fallout by rerouting 630 gigabytes of traffic to alternative cables and adding temporary bandwidth. PTCL anticipates full resolution soon, although technical teams estimate that repairs to such faults typically take two to three months.
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PTCL also confirmed that an additional 200 gigabytes of capacity will be rerouted to address the shortfall further. Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that around 80% of the bandwidth shortage has been resolved. Despite these efforts, internet slowness continues to impact Meta-owned services, frustrating users and businesses during peak hours.
Adding to the complexity, speculation persists that the government’s experimentation with internet firewalls could be contributing to disruptions. The PTA has acknowledged discussions with Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet provider, to diversify connectivity options. However, the process remains in its infancy, with technical and regulatory approvals pending clearance from the National Space Agency under the national space policy.
Future Connectivity: 2Africa Cable Project
In a promising development, Pakistan is set to benefit from the installation of the 2Africa Submarine Cable System, a massive undersea internet project stretching 45,000 kilometers across 46 locations globally. The cable, supported by major players like Meta and Vodafone, is expected to provide Pakistan with 24 terabytes of bandwidth once operational in Q4 2025. The PTA, in collaboration with Transworld Associates, has facilitated the project, which began with the cable’s landing at Hawksbay, Karachi, in December 2024.
Currently, Pakistan relies on seven submarine cables providing a total of 8 terabytes of bandwidth. The 2Africa system, employing state-of-the-art SDM1 technology with a capacity of 180 terabytes per second, is set to revolutionize internet services by significantly boosting speed and reliability. Its enhanced bandwidth is expected to address longstanding complaints of slow internet, improve the performance of platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, and cater to the growing demand for digital connectivity in the country.
As the government and telecom operators work to resolve current challenges, the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape looks optimistic with initiatives like 2Africa and potential satellite services from Starlink. However, consistent and transparent efforts will be crucial in ensuring sustainable progress in the country’s internet infrastructure.