On September 6, 2025, internet users across Pakistan encountered significant slowdowns, prompting a swift response from the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). The disruptions stem from damaged submarine cables in Saudi waters near Jeddah, affecting the nation’s connectivity. PTCL confirmed the issue, noting that the cuts have reduced bandwidth capacity on two critical undersea systems: SMW4 and IMEWE. As a result, users may experience sluggish browsing and streaming, particularly during peak hours.

PTCL’s spokesperson emphasized proactive measures to address the crisis. International partners are working urgently to repair the damaged cables, while local teams actively secure alternative bandwidth routes to minimize disruptions. The company expressed gratitude for users’ patience, assuring them that efforts to restore full connectivity remain a top priority. Data from outage tracking platforms, such as Down Detector, revealed a spike in complaints, with 16 reports at 10:09 AM and 14 more by 2:00 PM on Saturday, underscoring the issue’s widespread impact.

Pakistan relies heavily on submarine cables for global internet access, making such incidents particularly disruptive. Businesses, students, and everyday users face challenges as browsing speeds falter. However, PTCL’s swift action to reroute bandwidth offers hope for a quick resolution. Earlier this year, similar faults in the AAE-1 cable near Qatar caused comparable issues, highlighting the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure.