Pakistan internet disruptions after Red Sea undersea cables cut – PakInfoHub

🌐 Pakistan Faces Internet Disruptions as Red Sea Cables Cut

The internet is a lifeline for millions of people across Pakistan. From online education and remote jobs to digital businesses and social media, a smooth internet connection is essential in today’s fast-moving world. Recently, Pakistan faced a major internet disruption when undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged, leading to connectivity issues across the country and several parts of Asia.

This article will explain what happened, why it matters, how it affects Pakistan, and what can be done in the future to prevent such issues.

📉 What Happened in the Red Sea?

  • Multiple undersea internet cables running through the Red Sea region were damaged.
  • These cables are part of the global backbone of the internet that connect Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
  • The incident caused slow internet speeds, website access problems, and disruptions to digital services in many countries, including Pakistan.

🔌 Why Are Undersea Cables Important?

  • 95% of international data traffic flows through undersea fiber-optic cables.
  • Without them, global communication, online trade, and digital connectivity would collapse.
  • Satellites play a role, but they cannot handle the huge data loads that cables manage every second.

🌍 How Pakistan Was Affected

The cable cut created significant challenges in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.

🔴 Direct Impacts in Pakistan

  1. Slow Internet Speeds – Users experienced buffering on YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming platforms.
  2. Interrupted Online Classes – Students relying on Zoom or Google Classroom faced disconnections.
  3. E-Commerce Disruptions – Online shopping platforms like Daraz, and payment gateways faced delays.
  4. Freelancing Platforms – Pakistan is among the top freelancing countries; sites like Fiverr and Upwork slowed down.
  5. Banking Transactions – Online banking and digital wallets (Easypaisa, JazzCash) saw interruption.

📊 Table: Impact of Red Sea Cable Cut on Pakistan

SectorEffect of Internet Disruption
EducationOnline classes disrupted, exams delayed
FreelancingMissed deadlines, reduced income opportunities
E-commerceOrder processing delays, payment issues
Banking & FinanceDigital transactions slowed, mobile wallets affected
EntertainmentStreaming services and online gaming interruptions
Businesses & IT FirmsProductivity loss, communication issues with clients abroad
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🔎 Why Is Pakistan Vulnerable?

Pakistan relies heavily on a limited number of international submarine cables. When one or two lines are damaged:

  • There are fewer backup routes available.
  • Heavy traffic shifts to the remaining cables, causing network congestion.
  • The lack of domestic data centers and internet exchange points (IXPs) increases dependency on external infrastructure.

⚡ The Global Dimension

It’s not just Pakistan—several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East also suffered disruptions.

🌐 Countries Affected

  • India
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Pakistan

This shows how interconnected the internet infrastructure is worldwide. When a cable is damaged in one region, the ripple effect spreads across continents.

🛠️ How Are Repairs Done?

Repairing undersea cables is a complex and costly process.

Steps in Cable Repair

  1. Identify the Fault Location – Using monitoring systems to detect the break.
  2. Send Repair Ships – Specialized vessels are deployed.
  3. Retrieve Cable from the Seafloor – Robots or grappling hooks lift the damaged cable.
  4. Replace or Fix Fiber Sections – Technicians splice the fibers with extreme precision.
  5. Test the Connection – Ensure smooth data flow before restoring services.

💡 Repairs can take days to weeks, depending on weather, accessibility, and severity.

🧩 Lessons for Pakistan

This incident highlights important lessons for Pakistan’s digital future.

Key Takeaways

  • Diversify Internet Routes – Relying on a few submarine cables is risky.
  • Develop Local Data Centers – Reduces dependency on international connections.
  • Strengthen Satellite Internet – Services like Starlink can act as backups.
  • Government & Private Investment – Encourage infrastructure development through partnerships.

🔐 How Users Can Manage During Outages

While individuals cannot fix cables, they can take steps to minimize disruption:

Tips for Internet Users

  • Use offline options for study and work (download notes, lectures).
  • Keep mobile data packages as a backup.
  • Switch to lower video quality on streaming to save bandwidth.
  • Use VPNs with alternative servers if some sites are blocked.
  • Freelancers should communicate with clients about delays to maintain trust.

📢 Role of the Government and ISPs

  • The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and local ISPs must invest in redundancy and alternate routes.
  • Collaboration with regional partners (India, Middle East, China) can create stronger networks.
  • Public awareness campaigns can help users understand why disruptions happen and how to cope.

📈 Future of Internet in Pakistan

If Pakistan wants to achieve its Digital Pakistan Vision, ensuring stable, fast, and secure internet must be a top priority.

What Needs to Be Done?

  1. More Submarine Cable Connections – Join new international cable projects.
  2. National Fiber Backbone – Expand high-speed fiber connectivity to rural areas.
  3. Investment in Cloud & Data Centers – Build local hosting solutions for businesses.
  4. Support for Freelancers & Startups – Protect Pakistan’s booming digital economy from outages.
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✅ Conclusion

The recent Red Sea undersea cable cut exposed the fragile state of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. It caused disruptions in education, freelancing, e-commerce, and daily communication. While such global incidents are hard to prevent, Pakistan must learn from them and build stronger, more resilient digital systems.

🤔 What Do You Think?

Have you faced internet slowdowns during this disruption? Do you think Pakistan should invest in satellite internet like Starlink, or should the focus be on new submarine cables?

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments below — your voice matters in shaping Pakistan’s digital future!