Pakistani users face internet disruption as undersea cable damaged

In a major setback for the Pakistani users, the undersea fiber optic cable connecting Singapore to Pakistan and Europe has been damaged disrupting internet services in the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The cable sustained damage at multiple locations near Indonesia, affecting internet access in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Reports indicate that the fiber optic submarine cable has suffered five cuts, severely disrupting internet services, especially those routed from the eastern direction. Repair efforts are expected to span approximately one month to fully restore the cable’s functionality.

As a result of the damage, both PTCL and Transworld are experiencing disruptions in eastbound traffic. Although internet traffic from the east constitutes less than 10 percent, Pakistani users are facing challenges accessing the internet, particularly during evening hours.

To alleviate the impact, the PTCL has redirected internet traffic from the eastern direction through alternative channels. Nevertheless, users may continue to experience difficulties until the fiber optic cable is completely repaired.