Internet users across Pakistan could experience peak-hour slowdowns until November 2, 2026, as emergency repairs take place on an international submarine cable in Europe. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) said the work affects the AAE-1 cable section connecting Italy and France.
What users can expect
Maintenance started on October 27, according to PTCL. The company described the potential peak-hour impact as "minor service degradation" and thanked customers for their patience while the work is under way.
The slowdown is most likely to be noticeable when people access services hosted in Europe, particularly during busy evening periods. PTCL has not announced whether additional backup bandwidth will be brought in for the maintenance window.
Why a European repair matters in Pakistan
AAE-1, short for Asia-Africa-Europe 1, carries a major share of Pakistan's international internet traffic. Its approximately 25,000-kilometer route runs from Southeast Asia to Europe via Egypt, with a Pakistani landing point in Karachi.
PTCL put the cable's Pakistan operations into service in 2017. Its European landing points include Greece, Italy and France, linking Pakistani users to services on that side of the network.
An earlier fault also disrupted speeds
The cable has previously been involved in internet disruptions in Pakistan. A fault near Qatar in January 2025 left users nationwide facing reduced speeds for almost two weeks before PTCL reported that repairs were complete.
