The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, has clarified that the recent internet disruptions in Pakistan were caused by a technical fault in the submarine cable, not by the new national firewall system. The clarification came during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, where concerns about internet connectivity were extensively discussed. The chairman emphasized that the submarine cable fault disrupted internet in Pakistan, he labeled it as the primary cause of the connectivity issues, which are expected to be fully resolved by August 27, 2024.
Submarine Cable Fault Disrupted Internet in Pakistan
Addressing the committee, the PTA Chairman highlighted that the submarine cable fault was a localized issue affecting Pakistan’s infrastructure and not a global problem. He noted that the disruption had prompted an increase in VPN usage across the country as users sought alternative means to stay connected. The PTA Chairman assured that seven new submarine cables are expected to arrive shortly, which will fully restore the disrupted services. This fault, he stated, should not be confused with the new national firewall system, which has not yet been fully implemented and thus cannot be the source of the recent internet issues.
Concerns Over Firewall and Digital Freedom
During the meeting, committee members expressed concerns over the installation of a national firewall, part of the government’s broader web management strategy aimed at controlling social media content. Some members, including Omar Ayub, questioned whether the firewall could be contributing to the internet slowdown, raising fears about its impact on digital freedom in Pakistan. However, the PTA Chairman reiterated that the firewall was still under deployment and had not affected the current internet services. He assured that any implementation of the firewall would be transparent and in accordance with the directives of the Federal Cabinet, aiming to balance national security with citizens’ rights.
Also read: Internet Slowdown: Pakistan Conducts Second Firewall Trial
