In a statement released on Thursday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) indicated that one of these cables experienced a 250GB outage due to rerouting through Iran and Qatar, while the other cable has sustained damage near Karachi.
Telecom operators are redirecting traffic to alternative available cables to maintain service for users. Relevant teams are diligently working to rectify the situation. The PTA is closely monitoring developments until internet speeds normalize, and users will be updated on any significant changes, the statement continued.
The previous day, the PTA acknowledged the establishment of a National Firewall System (NFS) to manage social media content but emphasized that the recent internet service disruptions stemmed from issues with the submarine cable.
PTA Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman addressed the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday amid growing concerns regarding ongoing internet disruptions in Pakistan.
In response to the committee's inquiries, Rehman confirmed that an NFS had been implemented following a governmental decision from the PTI era.
He attributed the latest disruptions to a fault in the submarine communication cable, which is installed on the seabed between land stations to transmit telecommunication signals across oceanic expanses.
We have received a notification indicating that the fault will be resolved by August 27, he added.
The PTA chairman informed the committee that the firewall is undergoing its third upgrade in the country, with authorization received in October 2020 during the PTI's governance. However, financial constraints delayed the project's initiation at that time.
Rehman assured the committee that the firewall's installation complies with federal cabinet directives aimed at regulating social media and bolstering national security. He noted that the web management system had been upgraded twice prior, and the decision to enhance it in March 2019 led to the establishment of the National Firewall System.
He remarked that the current administration is continuing the initiatives of its predecessor and that the PTA is mandated to enforce cabinet directives.
On Wednesday, the PTA also informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) of four factors contributing to the recent internet service disruptions. While the submarine cable fault impacted internet speeds, the PTA indicated that an error from an internet provider on July 31 also played a role in the slowdown.
A cyberattack on Indian National Day, August 15, further intensified the situation. "The increased use of VPNs also negatively impacts internet speed," the PTA added. The LHC is currently reviewing a petition against unannounced internet service disruptions.
