Pakistan Moves Toward a Digital Future as SEA-ME-WE 6 Submarine Cable Reaches Karachi

Pakistan has officially taken a major step toward strengthening its digital connectivity with the world as work begins on the installation of the SEA-ME-WE 6 (SMW6) submarine cable at Karachi’s Hawks Bay coastline. The government and private sector are jointly pushing forward this digital expansion, signaling Pakistan’s commitment to becoming part of the global high-speed internet network.

The SEA-ME-WE 6 cable—a massive 21,700 km long system—connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe, running from Singapore all the way to France, with one of its crucial landing points in Pakistan.

According to Shoaib Muzaffar Warraich, Chairman of Transworld, this project marks an important achievement as Transworld becomes the first private company in Pakistan to lay such a cable. He confirmed that this is the ninth submarine cable system to land in Pakistan, after one old system was retired last year.

Warraich also shared that Pakistan’s private sector is working closely with the Ministry of IT & Telecom, ensuring smooth expansion of international connectivity. He mentioned that companies like Starlink are currently in the regulatory approval stage, and efforts are underway to bring more global operators into Pakistan.

Transworld has previously deployed three submarine cables in Pakistan—in 2005, 2015, and 2024. The new SEA-ME-WE 6 system is their fourth, and part of a massive consortium of 16 major international tech and telecom companies.

Once operational, SEA-ME-WE 6 is expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s internet speed, stability, and global bandwidth capacity, marking a new milestone in the country’s journey toward digital advancement.