Pakistan will install three new submarine internet cables to expand international connectivity and improve nationwide internet speeds, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced. The move aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, reduce outages, and support innovation, investment, and inclusion.
“These cables are not just about faster internet, it’s about opening new frontiers for innovation, investment, and inclusion,” Khawaja said, highlighting the importance of robust connectivity for national progress and global competitiveness.
The Ministry of IT confirmed that the upcoming cable systems will significantly increase bandwidth capacity, addressing growing demand while reducing reliance on existing links such as AAE-1 and SMW-4, which have faced outages in the past. Pakistan is also participating in major global subsea projects, including:
- 2Africa, which landed in Karachi in late 2024 and will go live by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 180 Tbps.
- Africa-1, PEACE, and MGG-1, projected to collectively add over 26 Tbps of bandwidth.
Alongside submarine cable investments, the government plans to double the mobile internet spectrum available for operators to accelerate 5G rollout and handle surging digital traffic. The largest of the new cables is expected to go live before the end of 2025, aligned with the spectrum expansion.
Pakistan’s internet usage has been expanding rapidly, with over 10 million new mobile users in the past year, bringing total subscribers to more than 200 million. Internet usage has grown 25% over two years, including 8 million women coming online for the first time—a milestone in bridging the digital gender gap.
Despite this growth, challenges remain. In 2024, Pakistan recorded Rs. 450 billion in economic losses from internet disruptions, the highest globally. A nationwide shutdown during February’s general elections delayed result transmission and raised concerns over transparency.
