The Africa-2 Cable Project, the world’s largest submarine cable network, has officially arrived in Pakistan, marking a significant step toward improving the country’s internet infrastructure. Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, announced the development in the National Assembly on Monday while addressing concerns raised by lawmakers over persistent internet issues.
The Africa-2 Cable is a 45,000-kilometer undersea network spanning 33 countries. Shaza Fatima expressed optimism that the cable would address connectivity challenges and enhance Pakistan’s internet capacity. She noted that Pakistan is currently supported by eight submarine cables, one of which has outlived its operational lifespan. Most internet disruptions, she explained, stem from mobile broadband services.
During the session, Senator Mohammad Aslam Abro criticized the government for failing to resolve technical internet problems despite global advancements. He suggested referring the issue of frequent internet disruptions to a parliamentary committee. In response, Shaza Fatima highlighted that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had doubled its frequency capacity over the past two years. She also shared that IT exports had grown by 33% in the last five months, while internet users had increased by 25%.
Senator Anusha Rehman raised concerns about spectrum management, arguing that insufficient consultation on spectrum allocations had hindered investment opportunities. Shaza Fatima acknowledged slow progress in the mobile sector over the past two to three years but noted that PTA had hired US-based consultants to develop new policies. She added that some countries now offer spectrum at little to no cost to promote growth.
Senator Zeeshan Khanzada expressed doubts about Pakistan achieving its $10 billion IT export target, citing political instability as a major obstacle. Shaza Fatima questioned the basis of earlier projections and criticized the misuse of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) for real estate purposes instead of fostering technological growth.
The session concluded with calls for robust reforms and greater transparency to address internet challenges and boost Pakistan’s IT sector. Lawmakers emphasized the need for better spectrum management, improved infrastructure, and policies to attract investment and achieve sustainable growth in the digital economy.
