Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman has stated that repairs to the submarine cable are expected to be completed by August 27.
Submarine Cable Fault Disrupts Internet Services Across Pakistan: PTA Chairman’s Update
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, has reported significant disruptions in internet services across Pakistan due to a fault in a submarine cable. He made this disclosure during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, where key stakeholders gathered to address the ongoing issues affecting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
High-Level Committee Meeting Focuses on Internet Disruptions
The meeting, convened to discuss the widespread internet disruptions and related concerns about social media access, saw the participation of prominent figures, including IT Minister Shaza Fatima, opposition leader Omar Ayub, and various committee members. Major General Rehman was specifically summoned to provide a comprehensive briefing on the technical challenges facing Pakistan’s internet connectivity.
In his remarks, Rehman highlighted that the issue stems from a fault in one of the seven submarine fibre optic cables that connect Pakistan to the global internet. “Seven fibre optic cables connect Pakistan internationally; one of them is currently down,” Rehman explained. He further noted that the consortium managing the affected cable has assured that repairs are expected to be completed by August 27.
Impact on Internet Services and VPN Users
The PTA Chairman elaborated on the significant impact the cable fault has had on internet services across Pakistan. He revealed that the disrupted cable handles approximately 7.5 terabytes of data, and its outage has particularly affected users relying on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). “The situation has led to slowed local internet services, especially for users relying on VPNs,” Rehman stated.
During the session, committee members questioned the necessity of VPNs for Pakistani users, prompting Rehman to clarify that some online content, not available on local Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), is only accessible via VPNs. This reliance on VPNs has become more pronounced during the current internet outage, he explained.
Broader Concerns and Economic Impact
The committee also explored whether similar submarine cable issues were affecting other countries. Rehman clarified that the current disruption is specific to Pakistan’s submarine cable, with no reports of similar issues elsewhere. This clarification underscored the unique challenges facing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
As the discussion progressed, concerns were raised about the economic implications of the internet disruption. Rehman disclosed that the telecom sector has suffered losses amounting to approximately Rs300 million over the past six days. The committee also voiced concerns about the adverse effects on freelancers and small businesses that rely heavily on stable internet connections for their operations.
Legal Questions and Future Actions
The session took a more critical turn when questions about the legality of VPN usage in Pakistan were raised. Major General Rehman admitted that he was not fully informed on the legal standing of VPNs, which prompted him to call for the input of a legal advisor during the session. He also touched on the complexities of monitoring online content, noting that while Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, there are specific categories under which content restrictions are enforced.
The absence of PTCL’s president from the meeting drew frustration from the committee members, with opposition leader Omar Ayub emphasizing the importance of the issue by noting that he had postponed a court hearing to attend. In response, Committee Chairman Aminul Haque directed that PTCL’s CEO be summoned to the next session to explain the absence and to address the ongoing issues comprehensively.
Conclusion
The session concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for all relevant parties to respect the committee’s authority and ensure their presence at future meetings. Chairman Haque underscored the importance of resolving the internet disruptions promptly, given their significant economic impact and the growing dependence of Pakistani users on a stable and reliable internet connection.