Two of seven submarine cables affected: PTA

A day after attributing internet service disruptions across the country to a fault in the submarine cable system, the nation's telecom regulator has clarified that two of the seven submarine cables connecting Pakistan to the global internet have developed faults.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported that one of these cables experienced a 250GB outage due to rerouting through Iran and Qatar, while the other cable has also been damaged near Karachi.

Operators are rerouting traffic to other available cables to ensure continued service for users. Relevant teams are actively working to resolve the issue. The PTA is closely monitoring the situation until internet speeds return to normal, and users will be informed of any further developments, the statement added.

A day earlier, the PTA acknowledged the installation of a National Firewall System (NFS) to manage social media content but insisted that recent internet service disruptions were due to a fault in the submarine cable.

PTA Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman appeared before the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday amid rising concerns over persistent internet disruptions in Pakistan.

Responding to the committee's queries, Rehman confirmed that an NFS had been installed following a government decision from the PTI era.

However, he attributed the recent disruptions to a fault in the submarine communication cable—a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea.

"We have received a letter stating that the fault will be cleared by August 27," he added.

The PTA chairman informed the committee that the firewall is being upgraded for the third time in the country, with approval granted in October 2020 during the PTI's rule. However, due to financial issues, the project was not undertaken at that time.

Rehman reassured the panel that the firewall's installation aligns with directives from the federal cabinet to control social media and enhance national security. He said the web management system had been upgraded twice before, and the decision to upgrade it in March 2019 led to the introduction of the National Firewall System.

He said the current government is continuing the previous administration's decisions and that the PTA is obligated to implement cabinet directives.

On Wednesday, the PTA also informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) of four reasons behind the recent internet service disruptions. While the fault in the submarine cable affected internet speed, the PTA noted that an error by an internet company on July 31 also contributed to the slowdown.

A cyberattack on Indian National Day, August 15, further exacerbated the issue. "The excessive use of VPNs also affects internet speed," the PTA added. The LHC is currently hearing a petition filed against unannounced internet service disruptions.