ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has blamed persistent power outages, fibre cable theft and infrastructure damage for the country’s slow internet speeds, even as authorities continue promising major upgrades through future 5G expansion.

Officials said repeated electricity breakdowns and fiber optic disruptions are severely affecting telecom infrastructure performance, leading to unstable internet connectivity and service degradation in multiple parts of the country.

The ministry acknowledged growing public frustration over weak internet services, particularly at a time when Pakistan is accelerating preparations for next-generation 5G deployment and broader digital transformation initiatives.

According to reports, authorities believe fibre cable theft and accidental damage during construction activities have emerged as major obstacles to improving network reliability and expanding high-speed internet infrastructure nationwide.

Industry experts say Pakistan’s limited fibre penetration remains one of the biggest structural challenges for future 5G rollout, as next-generation mobile networks require stable and extensive fibre backhaul systems to support ultra-fast connectivity.

The latest explanation from the ministry comes amid increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, businesses and consumers over deteriorating internet quality, frequent service disruptions and rising concerns regarding Pakistan’s digital competitiveness.

Officials maintain that the government is continuing efforts to modernise telecom infrastructure, improve spectrum management and accelerate fibre optic network expansion to support future 4G and 5G services.

Analysts say resolving infrastructure vulnerabilities, energy instability and fibre security issues will remain critical if Pakistan hopes to deliver reliable high-speed internet and successfully transition toward a sustainable 5G ecosystem.