Internet services are continuing without interruption across Pakistan after a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system was repaired, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Friday.
The regulator confirmed that the fault affecting the submarine cable had been resolved, saying internet connectivity was now being provided without any disruption.
The PTA had earlier warned that some users could experience intermittent degradation in internet quality and connectivity after a fault developed in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system.
At the time, the authority issued a statement, saying Transworld Associates (TWA) was working with the SMW5 Consortium to identify the cause of the fault and restore normal services.
"In the meantime, internet traffic is being rerouted through alternate international links to minimise the impact and ensure service continuity to the greatest extent possible," the PTA said.
“PTA remains in close coordination with the concerned stakeholders and will continue to monitor the situation to facilitate the earliest possible restoration of normal internet services across the country,” it added.
In May this year, the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, informed the National Assembly that prolonged and repeated power outages across the country were among the major causes of slow internet services and deterioration in telecom quality.
In written replies to the National Assembly, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said unreliable commercial electricity and dependence on solar systems, especially during shorter winter days, reduced backup resources and operational capacity at telecom sites.
Difficult terrain, harsh weather, security concerns, and access restrictions delayed maintenance, while fibre cuts, backhaul disruptions and theft of equipment further affected service continuity.
The minister said Pakistan’s international connectivity had improved with the landing of three submarine cables in recent years. She said fibre-optic connectivity had expanded significantly nationwide, while fibre-based home connections had increased from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1 million within two years.
