Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Wednesday that repairs to the submarine cable causing internet disruptions are expected to be completed by ‘early October’ and internet services will likely stay slow till then.

In recent weeks, internet speeds have significantly dropped, making it difficult for users to send or download media and voice notes on WhatsApp when using mobile data, and resulting in sluggish browsing, even on broadband connections.

The business community and internet service providers (ISPs) have claimed that government efforts to monitor internet traffic, including the implementation of a so-called ‘firewall,’ have contributed to the slowdown, leading to economic losses.

While Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the country’s information technology minister, confirmed that the government is upgrading its “web management system” to address cybersecurity threats, she firmly denied allegations of the government “throttling” internet speeds.

Conversely, the PTA attributed the slowdown to issues with a faulty submarine cable, dismissing concerns about the installation of a firewall.

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In a statement released today, the PTA explained that the ongoing internet slowdown is primarily due to faults in two submarine cables—SMW4 and AAE-1—of the seven that connect Pakistan internationally.

“The fault in the SMW-4 submarine cable is likely to be repaired by early October 2024,” the telecom authority stated, adding that the repair of the AAE-1 cable should enhance internet performance.

Just a week ago, PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman, a retired major general, had indicated that the damaged submarine cable would be fixed by August 27 during a session with a National Assembly panel, where he faced tough inquiries from lawmakers across the political spectrum.