Internet Services Disrupted in Pakistan Due to AAE-1 Submarine Cable Fault: Reports

Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reported a fault in the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) submarine cable near Qatar, potentially disrupting internet and broadband services across Pakistan.

According to PTA officials, relevant teams are actively working to resolve the issue, and the situation is being closely monitored. PTA has assured that updates will be provided to telecom users periodically.

Pakistan connects to global internet traffic through seven submarine cables, including the AAE-1, which plays a crucial role in facilitating internet connectivity across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Historically, similar faults in submarine cables have caused significant disruptions in the country. For example, in June 2024, a cut in the SEAMEWE-4 cable near Karachi led to a 1500 Gbps data loss, and in August 2024, another issue with the AAE-1 cable resulted in a 250 Gbps data loss.

The AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe-1) cable system, a major undersea fiber-optic network, connects several regions across the globe and supports a large share of international internet traffic. Earlier in February 2024, multiple cables, including AAE-1, were damaged in the Red Sea, causing disruptions in internet traffic between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These issues were resolved by July 2024.

Currently, a fault near Qatar has again impacted internet connectivity in Pakistan. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that teams are actively working to fix the issue and are closely monitoring the situation.