Pakistan's Internet Woes Continue Amid Submarine Cable Repairs

Pakistan is facing slow internet speeds due to a fault in two submarine cables, expected to be repaired by early October. The slow internet has impacted various sectors, leading to economic losses. The government has denied allegations of intentionally throttling the internet, blaming the issue solely on technical faults.

Pakistan's telecommunication authority announced on Wednesday that internet services across the nation are projected to remain sluggish until early October. This is due to a damaged submarine cable that is responsible for the disruptions, which will take time to repair.

Internet speeds in Pakistan have notably declined in recent weeks, causing users difficulties in sending or downloading media via WhatsApp, and experiencing slower browsing speeds, even on broadband, according to the Dawn newspaper. The business community and ISPs have blamed government efforts to monitor internet traffic, including a so-called 'firewall,' for the slowdown.

However, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja firmly denied reports of government throttling, stating the upgrade of the web management system is aimed solely at countering cyber security threats. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) affirmed that the internet slowdown is due to a fault in two submarine cables, with full repair expected by early October. The PTA has also indicated economic losses due to this issue, with Amnesty International calling for greater transparency.

(With inputs from agencies.)