Internet speeds in Pakistan to slow down until November 2
PTCL Warns of Possible Internet Disruption
According to the latest PTCL internet update, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited has warned users about possible slow speeds while maintenance work continues on the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) submarine cable.
The work began on October 27 on the section between Italy and France. PTCL said users may experience “minor service degradation” during peak hours until the maintenance is completed.
This means some people may notice slower browsing, video streaming or downloads rather than a complete loss of internet access. The level of disruption may vary depending on the service provider and network conditions.
PTCL has thanked customers for their patience during the maintenance period.
Why the AAE-1 Submarine Cable Matters
The AAE-1 submarine cable is one of the major routes carrying international internet traffic to and from Pakistan.
The system stretches around 25,000 kilometres and connects Southeast Asia with Europe through Egypt.
The cable reaches Pakistan through Karachi and connects the country to international networks through routes linked to Greece, Italy and France.
Because maintenance is taking place between Italy and France, some users may experience slow internet speeds when accessing services hosted in Europe. The effect will depend on how internet traffic is managed during the work.
Who Could Be Affected?
People using the internet during busy evening hours may notice delays while browsing websites, watching videos, joining online meetings or downloading files.
Businesses that depend on international connections could also face temporary performance problems.
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However, the Pakistan internet slow issue does not automatically mean every user will experience the same disruption.
PTCL has described the expected effect as minor. It has not confirmed whether additional backup bandwidth will be provided during the maintenance period.
Users should keep in mind that an internet outage Pakistan-wide has not been announced. The warning concerns possible slower performance during the maintenance window.
Similar Internet Problems in the Past
Pakistan has faced disruptions linked to submarine cable faults before. In January 2025, a fault on the AAE-1 submarine cable near Qatar caused slow internet speeds across the country for nearly two weeks.
PTCL later announced that the fault had been repaired. Such incidents show how international cable problems can affect internet services far from the location of the fault.
The latest PTCL internet update says the current maintenance is expected to continue until November 2, 2026.
