Pakistan’s IT Minister, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced on Thursday that 5G pilot projects will begin in major cities next week, with full commercial rollout expected in the coming months. The announcement follows a landmark Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum auction that generated $510 million (approximately Rs142 billion).
The auction and subsequent position assignment process, overseen by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), allowed telecom operators to secure and place spectrum blocks for optimal network performance. PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman confirmed the position assignment, noting it generated an additional $3 million and described the sale as one of the largest globally in terms of volume.
Speaking at a press briefing, the IT minister said Pakistan’s 5G plans drew international attention during the Mobile World Congress, highlighting growing interest in the country’s digital transformation. She credited the coordinated efforts of PTA, the Frequency Allocation Board, and the Armed Forces for facilitating the auction.
The minister emphasized that internet has become a basic necessity and noted a smartphone leasing policy is being finalized to improve device access. Rehman added that 5G deployment would boost average internet speeds from 4 Mbps to nearly 20 Mbps without raising mobile package prices, enhancing connectivity and modernizing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
