Islamabad:
The Ministry of Information Technology informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Thursday that the Internet speed in Pakistan has decreased due to the fact that immobiles were cut off from the coast of Yemen.
According to the ministry, telecommunications companies have moved bandwidth to alternative routes, but restoration can take four to five weeks.
During the meeting, chairman of MNA Syed Aminul Haque, IT and telecommunications secretary Zarrar Hashim Khan said that not one or two, but four to five uninvaled cables had been interrupted near Yemen.
“Two of the cables that supply Pakistan have been affected, forcing companies to divert bandwidth to alternative routes. Repair of such cables requires special ships and full restoration could take a month,” he added.
The committee was told that three new intruders would be operational within 12 to 18 months, which connects Pakistan directly to Europe. Agreements for these cables are already signed.
The committee’s session was held in Islamabad IT Park, where members raised concerns about internet disorders. Committee member Sadiq Memon questioned why problems persist if three new cables are already planned.
The secretary reiterated that several cable cuts of Yemen had created a serious situation and Pakistan’s connection was directly affected.
Briefing of the Islamabad IT Park Committee project said the IT Secretary that the Technology Park is being built with South Korean funding through a $ 78 million loan expanded in 2017.
The loan has a 10-year repayment period and must be repaid over 30 years with a concession 0.5% marking.
The park aims to increase exports by attracting IT companies and constructed to international standards. Both Islamabad and Karachi, it park, develop with Korean help.
However, committee members expressed anger over repeated delays in the project and ordered the ministry to issue a letter of dissatisfaction to the Korean company that handles the construction.
The company said heavy rain before the start of the project, the dollar crisis, which stopped imports for six months, and high tasks and taxes had all caused setbacks. The company had repeatedly requested exceptions to duties and taxes.
The project director revealed that nine project managers had been changed within 13 months, which further complicated progress. The chairman of the committee pressed the company whether the park would be completed before the deadline of 31 October.
The Korean representatives admitted that the deadline could not be met, although most work would be completed by December 31, with commissioning expected in February 2026.
Haque warned that if the deadline of October 31 was missed, another letter of dissatisfaction would be issued and the company could even be blacklisted. He said the deadline should be honored and instructed the ministry to decide further action against the company in early November if delays persist.
