Pakistan Takes Digital Leap as Africa-1 Cable Lands in Karachi
— February 22, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) The ultra-high-capacity Africa-1 submarine cable has landed at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) landing site at Sea View Beach, Karachi, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s digital future.
This achievement follows PTCL’s agreement to join the Africa-1 cable system consortium, reinforcing the company’s mission to connect Pakistan with key global digital hubs and strengthen the national telecom infrastructure, according to a PTCL news release.
The Africa-1 consortium includes leading telecom providers such as Mobily (Saudi Arabia), e& (UAE), G42 (UAE), Telecom Egypt, Zain Oman International (ZOI), Algérie Télécom, TeleYemen, and other global service providers.
Spanning 10,000 kilometres, the cable system uses state-of-the-art technology to link Pakistan with strategic locations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti. The cable will terminate at the Africa-1 Cable Station in PTCL Exchange Misrishah, Phase VI, DHA Karachi, further positioning Pakistan as a critical player in the global digital network.
Syed Muhammad Shoaib, Group VP International Business at PTCL, highlighted the partnership’s importance: “PTCL is proud to be a part of the Africa-1 cable system consortium. This collaboration aligns with Pakistan’s Digital Vision 2030 and our commitment to bridging the digital divide.”
By establishing robust international connections, PTCL aims to provide faster, world-class internet services, drive innovation across sectors, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global economy.
The Africa-1 cable system is expected to be operational by early 2026, significantly enhancing PTCL’s capacity to deliver high-quality, reliable internet services that meet international standards, solidifying its status as a leading telecom operator in Pakistan and beyond.