Internet Services Disrupted in Pakistan Due to Submarine Cable Fault, Says PTA Chairman

Submarine Cable Fault Disrupts Internet Services Across Pakistan: PTA Chairman Speaks Out

Internet users across Pakistan are facing significant disruptions due to a fault in one of the country’s submarine cables. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, recently addressed this issue during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque.

The Cause of the Disruption

Chairman Rehman explained that one of the seven fibre optic cables that connect Pakistan internationally is currently down, causing widespread internet slowdowns. The affected cable is responsible for handling 7.5 terabytes of data, and its outage has had a substantial impact on internet services, particularly for users relying on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

The consortium responsible for this submarine cable has assured that repairs will be completed by August 27. Until then, users may continue to experience slower internet speeds and disruptions.

Why VPN Usage is Affected

During the committee meeting, members raised concerns about the increased reliance on VPNs amid the ongoing internet issues. Rehman elaborated that some data, not readily available on local content delivery networks (CDNs), requires access through VPNs. This reliance has grown due to the outage, as users seek alternative ways to maintain their connectivity.

Global and Legal Implications

When asked whether similar issues were being experienced by other countries, Rehman clarified that this particular fault is specific to Pakistan’s submarine cable. The disruption has had a localized impact, highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure for global connectivity.

The discussion also touched on the legal standing of VPN usage in Pakistan. Rehman admitted that he was not fully aware of the legal nuances and called for the input of a legal advisor. This uncertainty underscores the need for clearer regulations and guidelines regarding VPN use, particularly during periods of widespread internet disruption.

Economic Impact and Sector Losses

The internet outage has had significant economic repercussions, particularly in the telecom sector. Rehman disclosed that the sector has incurred losses amounting to Rs300 million over the past six days due to the disruption. The impact has been felt acutely by freelancers and small businesses that rely heavily on reliable internet access for their operations.

The absence of PTCL’s president at the session drew sharp criticism from committee members, with Omar Ayub expressing frustration over the lack of representation from key stakeholders. Committee Chairman Aminul Haq has since issued a directive to summon PTCL’s CEO to the next session to explain this absence and address the ongoing issues.