Pakistan is poised for a major boost in internet connectivity with the activation of a new undersea cable linking the country to Africa.
This initiative is part of the 2Africa Pearls project, spanning 45,000 kilometers and aimed at strengthening digital connections across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
The high-capacity cable, capable of handling up to 180 terabits per second, is expected to go live shortly, promising faster and more reliable internet access across Pakistan.
With 46 landing points worldwide, this cable will double Pakistan’s digital bandwidth, addressing long-standing issues of slow internet speeds and frequent outages.
Currently, Pakistan relies on approximately 8 terabytes of bandwidth from its existing infrastructure, which has struggled to meet growing user demands.
The addition of 24 terabytes from the new system will significantly improve online experiences, particularly for social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Freelancers and other internet-dependent communities, who have faced disruptions due to inconsistent internet services, are expected to benefit greatly from this development.
Government officials have also pointed to the increased use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions as a factor contributing to sluggish speeds.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s digital capacity is projected to nearly double by next year with the deployment of four additional internet lines, including infrastructure for 5G services.
Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima recently admitted that the country’s internet speeds lag behind global standards, a concern also raised in the National Assembly.
Critics, including PPP MP Shazia Marri, have criticized the government for its lack of vision in tackling digital challenges, labeling the Digital Nation Bill as inconsistent with the reality of poor internet access.
Despite being a coalition partner, the PPP has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to addressing digital rights and related issues.
