Rumours have been circulating on social media suggesting a possible internet outage or disruption across Pakistan, causing concern among internet users nationwide.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reassured the public that these claims are unfounded.
In a statement posted on X, the authority clarified, “Information regarding any disruption of internet services on 15 January is incorrect and without factual basis.”
The PTA emphasized that internet services across the country remain stable and fully operational. While routine maintenance on submarine cables is currently underway, it will not affect connectivity.
Internet slowdowns or temporary disruptions are not uncommon in Pakistan, often caused by routine maintenance, limited spectrum, or security measures.
Last month, the Economic Coordination Committee approved the auction of 600 MHz spectrum, a move expected to improve internet speeds and pave the way for the rollout of 5G services.
According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index, Pakistan ranked 97th worldwide for mobile internet speed (24.79 Mbps in November) and 146th for fixed broadband (18.27 Mbps).
Significant improvements have already been made with the recent launch of the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system, a 19,200-kilometre fibre network connecting Pakistan to major digital hubs from Singapore to France.
With over 100 terabits per second of total capacity, the system offers one of the lowest-latency routes between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe.
Under this deployment, Pakistan was allocated 13.2 Tbps, of which 4 Tbps has been activated immediately, providing a crucial boost to cloud computing, data centres, fintech, e-commerce, streaming platforms, and the broader digital economy.
This progress highlights the country’s commitment to strengthening its digital infrastructure, ensuring that people and businesses alike can rely on stable, high-speed internet access as an essential part of daily life.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarifies that information regarding any disruption of internet services on 15 January is incorrect and without factual basis. Internet services across Pakistan remain stable and fully operational.
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) January 14, 2026
Routine submarine cable maintenance… pic.twitter.com/XmvSqv94E3
