Internet users across Pakistan are experiencing slow browsing speeds and intermittent connectivity issues after a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable disrupted internet traffic.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed on Thursday that the fault has affected a portion of the country’s international internet bandwidth, resulting in degraded internet performance for some users across multiple cities.
According to internet outage monitoring platform DownDetector, users have reported a surge in connectivity complaints, with many experiencing slow loading times, buffering during video streaming, and difficulty accessing websites and online services. Social media platforms have also been flooded with complaints from frustrated users questioning the sudden drop in internet speeds.
In an official statement, the PTA said it is continuously monitoring the impact of the fault and remains in close coordination with relevant stakeholders and international partners to restore normal services as quickly as possible.
“The fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 international submarine cable system may cause intermittent degradation in internet service quality and connectivity for some users,” the regulator said.
While the authority did not specify when the issue would be fully resolved, it assured users that efforts are underway to minimize disruption by managing traffic through alternative international routes wherever possible.
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The SEA-ME-WE 5 cable is one of Pakistan’s key international fiber-optic links connecting the country to the global internet. Any disruption to the system can affect internet performance until repairs are completed or traffic is fully rerouted.
For now, users may continue to experience slower-than-usual internet speeds, particularly during peak usage hours, until the international cable fault is resolved and services return to normal.