Pakistan will begin rolling out 5G services in the coming months, starting with seven major cities, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Tuesday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 26th ITCN Asia Expo at the Expo Centre Karachi, the minister acknowledged the challenges of introducing 5G but said steps were underway to improve nationwide internet access. Her remarks come months after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority cautioned in its 2024 annual report that the country’s transition to 5G would be difficult despite rising broadband usage.
Khawaja highlighted the financial strain of adopting next-generation technology but insisted that digital development remained a priority. She pointed to a recent agreement with Saudi Arabia, describing information technology as its “core element,” to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and drive economic growth.
The minister also linked digital progress to broader economic improvements, noting that Pakistan had moved past default concerns, with inflation easing and macroeconomic indicators showing stability. “Karachi carries the weight of the country’s economic development,” she said, while adding that Pakistan’s resilience had earned international recognition under the “Digital Pakistan” initiative.
She stressed the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in improving the investment climate and confirmed that the federal cabinet had approved Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence policy. Work is underway to train between 500,000 and one million young people in AI and cybersecurity by year-end, she said. “Those who know the right use of technology will replace traditional positions,” Khawaja added, urging youth to embrace digital opportunities.
On concerns about poor mobile and data services, she explained that two submarine cables had recently been damaged in the Red Sea near Jeddah, disrupting connectivity. She said the government was working to expand submarine cable capacity and fiberisation to improve reliability.
Khawaja further disclosed that Pakistan had successfully blocked recent hacking attempts from India during a period of heightened tensions, ensuring that no government websites were compromised.