The Ministry of Information Technology informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT on Thursday that internet speed in Pakistan has slowed due to submarine cables being cut off the coast of Yemen.
According to the ministry, telecom companies have shifted bandwidth to alternative routes, but restoration may take four to five weeks.
During the meeting chaired by MNA Syed Aminul Haque, IT and Telecom Secretary Zarrar Hashim Khan said that not one or two, but four to five submarine cables had been severed near Yemen.
"Two of the cables supplying Pakistan have been affected, forcing companies to divert bandwidth to alternate routes. Repairing such cables requires special ships, and full restoration could take a month," he added.
The committee was told that three new submarine cables would become operational within 12 to 18 months, linking Pakistan directly with Europe. Agreements for these cables have already been signed.
The committee's session was held at the Islamabad IT Park, where members raised concerns over internet disruptions. Committee member Sadiq Memon questioned why problems persist if three new cables are already planned.
The secretary reiterated that multiple cable cuts off Yemen had created a serious situation and Pakistan's connectivity was directly impacted.
Briefing the committee on the Islamabad IT Park project, the IT secretary said the technology park is being built with South Korean funding through a $78 million loan extended in 2017.
The loan carries a 10-year grace period and is to be repaid over 30 years at a concessional 0.5% markup.
The park aims to boost exports by attracting IT companies and is being constructed to international standards. Both Islamabad and Karachi IT parks are being developed with Korean assistance.
However, committee members expressed anger over repeated delays in the project and directed the ministry to issue a letter of displeasure to the Korean company handling construction.
The company said that heavy rains before the project's start, the dollar crisis that halted imports for six months, and high duties and taxes had all caused setbacks. The firm had repeatedly requested exemptions from duties and taxes.
The project director revealed that nine project managers had been changed within 13 months, further complicating progress. The committee chair pressed the company on whether the park would be completed by the October 31 deadline.
The Korean representatives admitted that the deadline could not be met, though most work would be finished by December 31, with commissioning expected by February 2026.
Haque warned that if the October 31 deadline was missed, another letter of displeasure would be issued and the company could even be blacklisted. He said the deadline must be honored, and instructed the ministry to decide on further action against the company in early November if delays persist.
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