Understanding Pakistan’s Submarine Cable Crisis

In an era where digital connectivity forms the backbone of modern society, Pakistan’s internet infrastructure faces recurring challenges due to submarine cable disruptions. These underwater information highways, which carry approximately 97% of Pakistan’s international internet traffic, have become increasingly vulnerable to various threats, affecting millions of users and businesses across the nation.

Pakistan’s digital landscape has grown exponentially over the past decade, with internet penetration reaching 54% in 2024, serving over 124 million users.

This digital revolution has transformed the country’s economic and social fabric, making reliable internet connectivity more crucial than ever. The nation’s dependence on submarine cables for global internet access has become both its strength and vulnerability.

Understanding Submarine Cables

Submarine cables are the invisible arteries of the global internet, carrying approximately 99% of all international data traffic worldwide. Pakistan connects to this global network through seven major submarine cables:

1. SEA-ME-WE 3 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3)
2. SEA-ME-WE 4 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4)
3. SEA-ME-WE 5 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 5)
4. AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe 1)
5. IMEWE (India-Middle East-Western Europe)
6. TW1 (Transworld 1)
7. PEACE (Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe)

These cables, ranging in capacity from 480 Gbps to 40 Tbps, form the critical infrastructure that enables Pakistan’s digital communication with the rest of the world.

Recent Incidents of Submarine Cable Faults

The January 2025 disruption of the AAE-1 submarine cable near Qatar sent ripples through Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. The fault, occurring approximately 406 kilometers from Alexandria, Egypt, resulted in a 30-40% reduction in internet speeds across the country. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), this incident affected approximately 50 million users during peak hours.

The disruption severely impacted sectors relying on high-speed internet, including e-commerce, education, and financial services, causing delays in transactions, communication, and online learning.

Prior to this, the June 2024 SMW4 cable fault caused significant disruptions, with internet speeds dropping by up to 25% nationwide. The incident particularly impacted business districts in Karachi and Lahore, where many IT companies and call centers operate. The fault disrupted international communication, creating challenges for businesses dependent on cloud services, remote operations, and global collaboration. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had to implement emergency measures to restore partial connectivity, but it took several days before the situation returned to normal.

In addition, the September 2023 fault in the FALCON cable system, which services parts of the Middle East and Asia, affected internet traffic between Pakistan and the rest of the world. This incident led to slower speeds for both business and personal users, as the cable provides critical routes for global data exchanges.

These disruptions highlight the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure and the importance of resilient systems for maintaining consistent digital connectivity.

Causes of Submarine Cable Faults

Natural events:
Natural events, such as earthquakes, underwater landslides, and ocean current movements, can cause significant disruptions to submarine cables by physically damaging or shifting them. These events are unpredictable and can affect large portions of global internet infrastructure.

Human activities:
Fishing activities are the leading cause of submarine cable faults, with fishermen’s nets and trawlers accidentally damaging cables. Ship anchoring and other maritime activities also contribute to faults by disturbing cables, especially in busy shipping lanes where cables are more vulnerable.

Technical failures:
Technical failures include equipment malfunctions or power outages affecting the operational integrity of submarine cables. Age-related degradation also plays a role, as older cables become more prone to failure due to wear and tear over time.

Debunking Myths: Sharks and Submarine Cables

While shark attacks on submarine cables gained media attention in the past, they represent less than 1% of all cable faults. Modern cables use protective materials and burial techniques that have effectively eliminated this risk. However, the persistence of this myth often detracts from addressing the real causes of cable damage.

The controversy surrounding technical fault attribution has led to increased scrutiny from digital rights organizations. In 2024, the Digital Rights Foundation of Pakistan reported that 35% of reported “technical faults” coincided with periods of political unrest, raising questions about transparency in infrastructure management.

Impact on Pakistan’s Economy and Society

The economic impact of submarine cable disruptions is substantial:

• IT Sector Losses: Major outages result in losses of approximately $3.5 million daily for Pakistan’s IT sector, which depends on stable internet for services like outsourcing, cloud computing, and data management. These disruptions lead to delays and reduced business operations, particularly affecting IT hubs like Karachi and Lahore.
• E-commerce Disruption: During peak disruption periods, online transactions in Pakistan drop by 45%, as slow internet speeds hinder e-commerce platforms. This affects businesses relying on online sales, with customers experiencing delays or abandoning purchases, leading to significant financial losses for retailers.
• Educational Impact: 70% of online learning platforms report significant service degradation during submarine cable faults, disrupting virtual classrooms and e-learning tools. This particularly impacts students and educational institutions that depend on uninterrupted access to resources for remote learning and online courses.
• Remote Work: 65% of remote workers experience productivity losses during internet outages, as many rely on consistent connectivity for tasks like communication, video conferencing, and accessing cloud-based work platforms. This reduces overall work efficiency and affects business outcomes for remote teams across various industries.

Mitigation Measures and Government’s Role

Pakistan has implemented several strategies to address these challenges:

In response to internet slowdowns caused by submarine cable faults, Pakistan’s government arranged temporary bandwidth through alternative routes and satellite connections. This step helped stabilize the country’s internet service by providing backup capacity until the primary cable systems were restored.

Additionally, Pakistan has been enhancing its domestic infrastructure by investing in data centers, cloud services, and broadband networks. This helps reduce the impact of cable disruptions on the nation’s connectivity, ensuring a more stable internet experience for users. The government is also encouraging public-private partnerships to improve the country’s technological capabilities and expand broadband access.

To minimize the impact of cable faults and increase bandwidth capacity, Pakistan is investing in new submarine cable projects, enhancing global connectivity and redundancy.

Key Recommendations and Path Forward

Below are some key recommendations to streamline Pakistan’s submarine cable crisis:

Diversification of international connectivity options
Pakistan should expand its international data and communication links to reduce dependency on limited routes, ensuring greater reliability and access to global markets. This will enhance the nation’s connectivity and resilience in the face of regional or global disruptions.

Investment in domestic infrastructure
A strong domestic infrastructure, including modernized telecommunications and energy systems, is crucial for supporting economic growth. Investments in local connectivity and facilities will drive development and ensure Pakistan remains competitive in the digital age.

Development of regional partnerships
Strengthening ties with neighboring countries, particularly in trade and technology, can foster economic cooperation and security. Regional collaboration is vital for enhancing trade routes, knowledge-sharing, and stability in South Asia.

Implementation of robust disaster recovery systems
Given Pakistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, it’s essential to establish comprehensive disaster recovery systems to ensure minimal disruptions. These systems will protect critical services and infrastructure from the effects of floods, earthquakes, or power outages.

Enhancement of technical expertise and maintenance capabilities
Investing in the training of skilled technical personnel and improving maintenance infrastructure will ensure the smooth operation of essential systems. This focus on capacity building will help Pakistan meet the demands of modernization in sectors like ICT, energy, and manufacturing.

Verdict

Pakistan’s reliance on submarine cables for internet connectivity presents both opportunities and challenges. While these underwater networks have enabled unprecedented digital growth, their vulnerability to disruption necessitates a multi-faceted approach to infrastructure development and security. The future of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure depends on successful implementation of these measures, ensuring reliable and resilient internet connectivity for generations to come.