Islamabad:
The Ministry of Information Technology informed the National Assembly Committee on Thursday that the Internet speed in Pakistan has slowed because the submarine cables were cut on the Yemen coast.
According to the Ministry, telecommunications companies have changed bandwidth to alternative routes, but restoration can take four to five weeks.
During the meeting chaired by MNA Syed Aminul Haque, and the Secretary of Telecommunications, Zarrar, Hashim Khan, said not one or two, but four to five underwater cables had been cut near Yemen.
“Two of the cables that supply Pakistan have been affected, which forced companies to divert bandwidth to alternative routes. The repair of such cables requires special ships and the complete restoration could take a month,” he added.
It was told to the committee that three new submarine cables would function in operation within 12 to 18 months, linking Pakistan directly with Europe. Agreements have already been signed for these cables.
The committee session was held at the Islamabad It Park, where members raised concerns about internet interruptions. The member of the Sadiq Memon committee questioned why the problems persist if three new cables are already planned.
The Secretary reiterated that multiple Cable of Yemen had created a serious situation and that Pakistan’s connectivity was directly affected.
Informing the Committee of the Islamabad Ti Park Project, the secretary of IT said that the Technology Park is being built with southern Korea funds through a loan of $ 78 million extended in 2017.
The loan has a period of grace for 10 years and will be paid for 30 years with a margin of 0.5% concessional.
The park aims to boost exports attracting IT companies and is being built to international standards. Both Islamabad and Karachi It Parks are developing with Korean assistance.
However, the committee members expressed angry at repeated delays in the project and ordered the Ministry to issue a letter of disgust to the Korean company that manages the construction.
The company said that heavy rains before the start of the project, the dollar crisis that stopped imports for six months, and high tariffs and taxes had caused setbacks. The firm had repeatedly requested exemptions from tariffs and taxes.
The project director revealed that nine project managers had changed in 13 months, which further complicates progress. The president of the Committee pressed the company on whether the park will be completed before the deadline of October 31.
The Korean representatives admitted that the deadline could not be met, although most of the work would end before December 31, and the commission expected in February 2026.
Haque warned that if the deadline of October 31 was lost, another letter of disgust would be issued and the company could even be on the blacklist. He said the deadline must be honored and instructed the Ministry to decide an additional action against the company in early November if delays persist.
