By Sumavaya Iqbal 
VPN Traffic Strains National Bandwidth
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has attributed the ongoing internet slowdown in the country to the overwhelming use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). PTA officials revealed that VPNs are consuming a disproportionate share of bandwidth, hampering internet speeds for millions of users nationwide.
Submarine Cable Issues Aggravate the Problem
The situation worsened after a fault was reported in the submarine cable AAE-1 near Qatar. This undersea cable is one of seven critical links connecting Pakistan to global internet traffic. PTA confirmed that repair teams are actively working to restore the connection, but warned of temporary impacts on broadband speeds.
Impact on Popular Apps
The slowdown has heavily affected social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Users have reported either suspended access or significantly reduced speeds, disrupting communication and online entertainment for a large portion of the population.
Recommendations for Bandwidth Expansion
To address the growing internet demand, PTA has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of IT, highlighting the need for immediate infrastructure upgrades. The report stresses that enhancing bandwidth is essential to keep pace with increasing VPN usage and overall digital activity.
Public Awareness and Updates
In a public advisory, PTA encouraged users to remain patient as efforts to resolve the submarine cable fault continue. The authority also underscored the importance of responsible VPN usage to reduce unnecessary strain on the network.