ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that Pakistan’s 5G Spectrum Policy has reached its final stage, confirming plans to auction over 600 MHz of spectrum soon. The move aims to enhance 3G and 4G connectivity and set the groundwork for a nationwide 5G rollout.
Speaking at the 26th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26) meeting, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s progress under the Digital Nation Pakistan initiative.
“We now have over 200 million mobile subscribers and 150 million broadband users — one of the fastest data adoption rates in Asia,” she stated.
Over the last five years, data usage in Pakistan has surged by 70%, while telecom revenues have grown 17% annually, contributing nearly Rs1.5 trillion to the national exchequer.
The minister also revealed that the e-commerce sector has reached $7.7 billion, expected to surpass $10 billion next year, supported by a 20% rise in ICT exports.
In digital governance, 98% of federal offices are now operating via e-office systems, making government workflows largely paperless. Over 50 citizen services are already online, with plans to increase the number to 150 by the end of the fiscal year.
The State Bank’s Raast system and the upcoming National Data Exchange Layer — developed with NADRA’s support — will together form the Pakistan Stack, enabling secure digital identities and lifelong digital services for citizens.
Under the Connect 2030 Vision, Pakistan plans to:
- Raise average internet speeds to 100 Mbps
- Expand fiber connectivity nationwide
- Free up 1,000 MHz of spectrum
- Align 5G deployment with global standards
These measures are expected to generate billions of dollars in economic benefits within the next four years.
Shaza Fatima also noted reforms under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and Right-of-Way policy, which have eliminated all fees on fiber deployment, making Pakistan a “Right-of-Way charge-free country.”
She added that frameworks for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and infrastructure sharing had been approved, while satellite internet regulations are nearing completion.
To improve digital inclusion, the government is finalizing the Smartphones for All Policy to make mobile devices more affordable. The minister highlighted that Google’s Chromebook assembly line in Pakistan will further boost local tech manufacturing.
The conference also reviewed progress on the SATRC Action Plan 9 and set priorities for Plan 10, focusing on spectrum harmonization, data governance, cybersecurity, and universal connectivity across South Asia.
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