ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government has announced plans to auction around 600 megahertz of additional spectrum in the coming weeks, paving the way for faster internet and the country’s 5G rollout. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed the move on Friday, emphasizing that 5G is coming to major cities within months.
Speaking at a press conference, the minister said the federal cabinet approved a framework for a major spectrum auction involving seven bands, five of which will be sold in Pakistan for the first time. The additional spectrum is expected to significantly improve 3G and 4G services within three to four months, while 5G is coming to provincial capitals, including Islamabad, within six months.
Fatima Khawaja explained that the country currently operates its mobile internet network on only 274 megahertz of spectrum for nearly 240 million people. She likened this to “running four-lane traffic on a two-lane road.” Highlighting regional comparisons, she noted that Bangladesh, with a smaller population, has nearly 600 megahertz of spectrum.
The minister stressed that faster internet and 5G connectivity are critical for economic growth, national security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and exports. Pakistan, she added, is the world’s fourth-largest freelancing economy, with IT sector growth at 20–21% annually.
Alongside the spectrum auction, the cabinet approved the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) policy, allowing new mobile brands to enter the market without building their own networks. This policy is expected to boost competition, lower prices, and attract foreign investment. District-level ISP licenses were also approved, enabling rural areas to access legal internet services for the first time.
Fatima Khawaja further highlighted Pakistan’s integration into the world’s longest submarine cable system, SMW-6, with two additional undersea cables expected this year. These developments aim to reduce reliance on limited international routes and minimize disruptions.
In other news read more about: Balochistan Starts Pink Bus Service Aimed at Women and Students
Concluding, the minister said users could expect noticeable improvements in internet speed within months, stating confidently that 5G is coming and Pakistan is ready to embrace a future of faster, more reliable connectivity.
