Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has announced that Pakistan will install three new submarine internet cables to enhance the country’s international connectivity and improve internet speeds nationwide.
Speaking to the media, the minister said, “This is not just about faster internet, it’s about opening new frontiers for innovation, investment, and inclusion.” She emphasized that digital infrastructure is essential for national progress and global competitiveness.
Bandwidth Expansion
The upcoming submarine cable systems are expected to significantly increase Pakistan’s bandwidth capacity. According to the Ministry of IT, these projects will address growing user demand and reduce reliance on existing cable systems, which have previously suffered outages, including AAE-1 and SMW-4.
Pakistan is also participating in global subsea projects such as:
- 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, among others, which together are projected to add over 26 Tbps of bandwidth.
Doubling Internet Spectrum for 5G
In addition to cable infrastructure, the government plans to double the internet spectrum available for mobile operators. The move is intended to support the rollout of 5G technology and accommodate the country’s increasing digital traffic.
Officials confirmed that the largest of the new cable systems is expected to be operational before the end of 2025, with the spectrum expansion aligned to launch alongside enhanced services.
10 Million New Users
Pakistan’s internet landscape has seen rapid growth:
- Over 10 million new mobile users were added in the past year, bringing the total number of mobile subscribers to more than 200 million.
- Internet usage has risen by 25% over the past two years.
- Notably, 8 million women came online for the first time, a development seen as a step forward in bridging the gender digital divide.
Despite the growth, Pakistan has faced challenges in maintaining stable digital services. In 2024, the country recorded Rs. 450 billion in estimated financial losses due to internet disruptions—the highest in the world for that year. A nationwide shutdown during the February general elections delayed result transmission and raised concerns over transparency.
This is a very positive step for Pakistan’s digital future. Faster internet through new submarine cables and expanded spectrum will not only support 5G but also boost opportunities in freelancing, e-commerce, and online learning. Stable connectivity is the backbone of innovation and global competitiveness, and with millions of new users joining the digital world every year, this upgrade is much needed.
For example, just like in traffic rider mod, where smooth speed and uninterrupted gameplay enhance the user’s experience, a strong and reliable internet connection will enhance Pakistan’s digital journey, making it faster and more engaging for everyone.
hahaha when your bottleneck is the government spying on you, adding a hundred new cables isnt going to solve your problems.
Exactly. Isn’t it a tragedy that my Fibre connection from a private ISP with a speed of 35mbps, refused to load images or videos from Reddit due to the censorship. Similarly my bank apps have become very slow.
Heard these claims before . They don’t work . The firewall stopped the cspeed
سر کیا فائدہ اس کا، جب انہوں نے بعد میں اسے کنٹرول/بند ہی رکھنا ہے تو۔۔۔
Succumb or survive ….. where is the choice ? Cut throat business world of today works on : survival of the fittest
Pakistan’s internet needs to reduce bandwidth prices further and it needs to be freed from military controlled internet firewalls to allow unimpeded use.
Firewalls under control of military and their khaki puppets sitting in PTA Chairmanship and elsewhere are the real issue with internet in Pakistan. No matter how much onward capacity is added, the regressive firewall is the real bottleneck.
جس طرح آن آرائیوں ویزوں کے معاہدے صرف ایلیٹ کلاس کیلئے ہیں، یہ نئی تاریں بھی شاید ڈی ایچ اے کیلئے ہی ہوں گی۔ پولیس صرف موٹر سائیکل والوں کو ہی پکڑ سکتی ہے یا بہت ہو جائے تو یانگو چلانے والوں کو روک لیتی ہے۔ کسی مائی کے لعل میں جرأت نہیں کہ کسی لینڈ کروزر کو روک سکے۔
اللہ سے دعا ہے کہ ظالم حکمرانوں سے نجات دے آمین ثم آمین
Pakistanis are poor they can afford to pay for an 8mbps connection and not more. Unless the government considers cheap internet over taxing every single thing , 5G connection would be out of reach of 98 percent of Population
First they need to remove firewall then Internet upgrades can be effective
Dont expect these **Day Dreaming Results explained in this article. **When the Khaki Junta Controls Public Representation Institutions in the form of SICF Where Khakis are sitting??**
How to get free