Islamabad, Feb 17: Pakistan is making significant strides towards launching 5G technology, with Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja announcing that planning and consultations for its rollout are progressing smoothly. Speaking at a ceremony, the minister emphasized that the introduction of 5G will address existing internet connectivity issues and provide a substantial boost to economic growth.
Currently, Pakistan operates on a 274 MHz spectrum, but recent developments have cleared 550 MHz from legal barriers, marking a major milestone. The passage of the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill last month is seen as a key step towards transforming the country into a digital corridor, akin to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Additionally, the Karachi optical fiber link from China became operational last month, managed by SC and PTCL, further enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure.
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Shaza highlighted the government’s ambitious goal of achieving $25 billion in exports, with $10 billion coming from the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill and $15 billion from other sources. She stressed the importance of balancing revenue generation with long-term growth in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, while ensuring that the telecom industry can continue investing in necessary infrastructure.
The minister also revealed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has hired a consultant for the 5G rollout and that the government is actively encouraging private sector investment through its fiberization policy. While acknowledging regulatory challenges, Shaza expressed optimism about the potential for increased foreign investment in the telecom sector.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s economic progress, Shaza noted the country’s remarkable turnaround, pointing out that just two and a half years ago, Pakistan was on the brink of default. Today, however, the economy is growing, inflation is decreasing, and GDP is on the rise. The arrival of 5G technology is expected to play a crucial role in further accelerating economic activity and driving digital transformation in the country.
