Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced that Pakistan will install three new submarine internet cables to enhance international connectivity and improve internet speeds nationwide.
Speaking to the media, the minister said the initiative is “not just about faster internet, it’s about opening new frontiers for innovation, investment, and inclusion.” She stressed that strong digital infrastructure is vital for national progress and global competitiveness.
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According to the IT Ministry, the new cable systems will expand bandwidth capacity and reduce reliance on existing links such as AAE-1 and SMW-4, which have experienced outages in the past.
Pakistan is already part of global subsea projects including 2Africa, which landed in Karachi in late 2024 and will go live by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 180 Tbps. Other projects such as Africa-1, PEACE, and MGG-1 are expected to collectively add over 26 Tbps of bandwidth.
Alongside the cables, the government also plans to double the internet spectrum available for mobile operators to support 5G rollout. Officials said the largest new system will be operational before the end of 2025.
Pakistan’s internet growth has been rapid, with 10 million new users in the past year. However, the country has also faced costly disruptions, including an estimated Rs. 450 billion in losses in 2024 due to shutdowns and outages.
