Web Desk: Internet connectivity has returned to parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi after telecom teams repaired a damaged optical fibre cable that had disrupted mobile data and Wi-Fi services, Pakistan’s telecom regulator said.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the disruption was caused by a cut in an optical fibre network operated by a telecom provider.
The fault had affected internet connectivity in some parts of the two cities, leaving residents reporting difficulties accessing online services, including social media platforms.
According to the PTA, the disruption was limited to certain local and nearby areas rather than affecting the entire country.
The regulator said mobile data and fixed-line Wi-Fi connections were among the services affected by the cable damage.
Technical teams were deployed to repair the damaged fibre and restore normal connectivity.
The PTA had earlier cautioned that repairs could take several hours, depending on the extent of the damage. Services have since been restored following completion of the repair work.
The regulator said internet connectivity in central and southern parts of the country remained normal during the disruption, although some locations in northern Pakistan were also affected.
The latest incident comes after an earlier internet connectivity problem involving an international submarine cable.
On July 2, the PTA reported a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) submarine cable system, warning that some users could experience intermittent connectivity problems and a decline in internet service quality.
Transworld Associates, which is part of the SMW5 consortium, had been working with other members to identify the cause of that fault and determine the repair timeline.
Internet traffic was subsequently routed through alternative international links to limit the impact of the submarine cable problem and maintain connectivity for users.
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