Internet Speeds to Remain Slow in Pakistan Until November 2 as International Submarine Cable Repairs Continue

*ISLAMABAD:* Internet users across Pakistan may experience slower internet speeds until November 2, 2026, particularly during peak hours, due to ongoing emergency repairs on an international submarine cable, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

PTCL said repair work on the international submarine cable began on October 27 along the section between Italy and France and is expected to continue until November 2. During this period, internet users in Pakistan may experience a decline in connection speeds and minor disruptions in service, particularly during busy hours.

The submarine cable system, which spans approximately 25,000 kilometres, connects Southeast Asia with Europe through Egypt. Pakistan is connected to the network through a landing point in Karachi.

The system provides international connectivity linking Pakistan with several European destinations, including Greece, Italy and France.

As the ongoing maintenance work is being carried out on the European section of the cable, users accessing websites and online services hosted on European servers may experience comparatively greater disruptions. Internet speeds could be particularly affected during evening peak hours when network traffic is high.

Pakistan has experienced internet disruptions in the past due to faults in international submarine cables. In January 2025, a cable fault near Qatar affected internet speeds across the country, causing users to face connectivity issues for nearly two weeks. PTCL subsequently announced that the fault had been repaired and services had returned to normal.