Pakistan is gearing up to launch 5G services in seven major cities in the coming months. The announcement came from Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, during the 26th ITCN Asia Expo in Karachi.
What the Minister Announced
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that 5G rollout will begin in crucial urban centers.
She linked the launch to the Digital Pakistan vision.
She indicated that Pakistan is readying its spectrum and infrastructure for the shift.
Planned 5G Coverage Areas in Pakistan
Although not officially confirmed yet, the seven cities expected to receive 5G first include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, and Multan.
Officials selected these cities because they have large populations and significant economic importance.
Infrastructure & Technical Upgrades
To support 5G, Pakistan needs major upgrades in fiber-optics, base stations, and backhaul.
Officials said they will expand submarine cable capacity and improve fiberization nationwide.
Damage to two submarine cables in the Red Sea had affected internet performance earlier.
The government plans a spectrum auction by year-end to meet 5G spectrum demands.
Economic & Strategic Context
This 5G leap is aligned with the Pak-Saudi defence and IT cooperation agreement. Khawaja noted that IT would play a central role. The government aims to attract technology investments and boost exports with this move.
It also signals Pakistan’s ambition to compete regionally in tech.
Challenges Ahead
Yet, Pakistan faces serious challenges in this transition.
High deployment costs will strain telecom operators already under financial pressure.
Infrastructure gaps in rural zones could slow coverage expansion.
Regulatory and licensing issues around spectrum allocation remain unresolved.
Ensuring affordable 5G devices for average consumers is another hurdle.
Timeline & Expectations
The government plans to launch 5G services in the next few months. The first rollout phase will likely focus on major metropolitan areas. Subsequent phases may expand coverage to secondary cities.
Benefits of 5G for Citizens
5G promises much faster internet speeds and lower latency.
It will enable smart city projects, IoT, telehealth, and advanced mobile services.
Industries like fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and AI will harness new opportunities.
Implications for Telecom Sector
Telecom players must invest heavily to upgrade infrastructure.
They need partnerships with hardware vendors, global tech companies, and regulators.
5G will drive increased revenue streams via new service models.
Government Readiness & Oversight
The IT ministry and PTA must coordinate to ensure a smooth rollout.
Regulatory clarity, licensing, and consumer protection rules are crucial.
Monitoring of rollout pace and service quality will determine success.
Conclusion
With Pakistan 5G launch in sight, the country stands on the cusp of a digital transformation.
Seven major cities will be early beneficiaries.
Though challenges are significant—costs, spectrum, infrastructure—the potential gains are huge.
If implemented well, 5G could power Pakistan’s next wave of growth in tech, connectivity, and economic development.
Let me know if you’d like a sidebar of comparison with 5G in neighboring countries, or a bullet summary for social media.
