Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, provided key updates on Pakistan’s digital advancement and the highly anticipated 5G spectrum auction.
Pakistan’s IT exports have reached $3.8 billion, with freelancers contributing $0.7 billion, marking a substantial 91% increase. The Pakistan Digital Authority has been established to develop a national digital strategy for sectors including agriculture, health, and education. A massive skills development program is currently training 300,000 individuals, with a goal to reach one million to boost employment and catalyze economic growth.
The government is prioritizing affordable high-speed internet through plans for submarine cable expansion and tower fiberization. Currently, only 14% of telecom towers are fiber-connected, but a three-year roadmap with local partners aims to significantly improve this infrastructure. Right-of-Way fees have been waived by the CDA in Islamabad, with the NHA and Railways instructed to implement similar waivers.
Pakistan’s telecom network remains 98% wireless, but efforts are underway to transition towards a fiber backhaul. Initiatives to empower the youth include new tech parks and 25 co-working spaces providing 2,800 additional seats. The 5G spectrum roadmap focuses on selling 600 MHz of spectrum, with a network rollout possible just three months after the auction.
The PTA acknowledged the sector’s growth but cautioned that challenges like congestion, low tariffs, high operational costs, and 37.4% taxes have negatively impacted service quality. Key infrastructure limitations include fiber and power gaps, restricted international capacity, and only four active data centers.
The government intends to conduct the 5G spectrum auction by December 2025, anticipating benefits in GDP, exports, investment, and job creation. Regulatory measures in place include national roaming, SIM security, VoWiFi rollout, 3G sunset plans, adoption of Wi-Fi 6E/7, infrastructure sharing, and enhanced cybersecurity.
