Internet Services Expected to Go Down for the Whole Day in Pakistan

Oct 16, 2025

Internet Services Expected

Pakistan is bracing for possible internet disruptions as PTCL announces scheduled maintenance work on a major undersea cable. The repair, starting from 11:00 AM PKT and potentially lasting for up to 18 hours, may lead to slower speeds or partial disruption of internet services across the country.

While the phrase “internet down for the whole day” sounds alarming, authorities are clarifying there is no plan for a total blackout. Instead, users should expect degraded performance, outages in certain services, and intermittent connectivity, especially for data-heavy tasks and online streaming.

What Exactly Has PTCL Announced?

A faulty repeater on one of the undersea/submarine cables requires immediate repair. These repeaters amplify signals over long distances; when they malfunction, portions of internet traffic destined for or passing through that cable are affected.
Maintenance work will begin around 11:00 AM and may extend to 18 hours. This long window is to allow for safe and thorough repairs.
PTCL has said they will try to reroute traffic via alternate routes and other functioning undersea cables to minimize the impact. However, this does not guarantee full bandwidth during the maintenance period.

Which Users Will Be Affected?

Fixed broadband users, especially those relying on PTCL lines, may notice slower speeds, lag in uploads/downloads, or buffering during video streaming.
Mobile data users may also see intermittent performance issues—pages loading slowly, video calls dropping, or media files taking longer to send or receive.
Regions that depend heavily on international bandwidth will likely be more impacted. Users in metro cities might still have better connectivity compared to remote areas, depending on the local network infrastructure.

Misconceptions & Rumors

There are widespread claims circulating that “all internet will be down for the day.” These are not accurate. What’s expected is partial disruption, service degradation, and intermittent accessibility issues, not a full shutdown.

Telecom watchdogs and PTCL have specifically denied rumors of an absolute blackout. The main issue is repair work, not intentional shutdown.

Why Submarine Cable Maintenance Matters

Submarine cable systems are the backbone of international internet connectivity for many countries, including Pakistan. Key points:

They carry vast volumes of traffic between continents. If one cable is down, traffic usually shifts to others, but the capacity can be constrained.
Repairing submarine cables is technically challenging: undersea work requires specialized vessels, weather checks, and time.
Such maintenance is necessary for long-term reliability. Delaying repairs can lead to worse outages or damage.

What Can Users Do to Prepare?

To reduce inconvenience, users are advised to:

Do bandwidth-heavy tasks before the maintenance window: large downloads, uploads, software updates, etc.
Save content for offline use where possible: documents, videos, streaming playlists.
Use partners or backup ISPs if you have them—WiFi, mobile broadband, or satellite services might offer alternative access.
Plan online meetings, classes or streaming sessions outside the expected low-connectivity hours.
Keep an eye on updates from PTCL or official channels for any changes in schedule or restoration timings.

Broader Implications

Online classes, remote work, streaming services, and businesses reliant on stable internet will feel the pinch.
E-commerce, IT services, and media may see slowdowns, delayed uploads, or difficulty accessing cloud services.
For digital payment platforms, banking apps, or essential service portals, reduced connectivity could cause temporary disruptions.

What Authorities Are Saying

PTCL has issued statements apologizing in advance for the inconvenience and stressing that this maintenance work is essential. They emphasize that although the repair may cause snags, alternate paths are in place to reduce complete service interruption.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has asked users to stay calm, avoid spreading rumors, and verify any update from official PTCL or PTA channels rather than unverified social media posts.

Conclusion

While the headline “internet services going down for the whole day” is dramatic, the reality is more measured: a planned repair may degrade service for up to 18 hours, not a total shutdown. For many users, the impact will be noticeable; for some, minimal.

Being prepared can help: doing heavy tasks early, arranging alternative access, and staying updated will make a big difference. In the bigger picture, such maintenance work, though inconvenient, is essential for keeping Pakistan’s digital lifeline robust and resilient.