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The government of Pakistan has confirmed plans to launch 5G services in seven major cities, marking a big step forward in the country’s digital future. This was announced by Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who said the rollout would begin once legal and technical preparations are complete.
The expected timeline for the 5G rollout in Pakistan is late 2025 or early 2026, depending on the progress of the spectrum auction and regulatory approvals.
“We’re preparing for a multi-city 5G launch to boost digital access,” said the minister during a recent briefing.
While the official list hasn’t been released, sources suggest the rollout will start in:
Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Multan. These cities were chosen due to high internet usage and better telecom infrastructure.
Telecom companies like Zong, Jazz, and PTCL have already tested 5G technology in trial runs. The recent PTCL-Telenor merger is expected to help with faster rollout by sharing infrastructure.
Still, telecom experts say there are challenges. High taxes, low average revenue per user (ARPU), and rising energy costs make it difficult for companies to invest heavily in 5G networks.
One major issue is the spectrum dispute involving 140 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band. The spectrum is currently tied up in a legal case with Space & Satellite Communications (SNL). Until this is resolved, a full rollout is not possible.
In addition, Pakistan faces frequent power outages, rising operational costs, and delays in finalising telecom policies. These factors have slowed down the launch plans.
Other countries like India, the UAE, and Bangladesh have already launched commercial 5G networks. India, for example, started in late 2022 and now covers hundreds of districts.
Experts say that without quick action on policy and spectrum, Pakistan may fall further behind in the global race for digital development.
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