Islamabad, Jan 7: As of November 2024, the number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan has reached an impressive 193,238,238 million, with a mobile teledensity of 79.10 percent, a testament to the country’s expanding mobile network. This surge in connectivity reflects the growing demand for mobile broadband services, with mobile broadband subscribers now reaching 139 million, contributing to a mobile penetration rate of 56.90 percent. 

Growing Mobile Penetration & Regulatory Measures

These figures indicate the increasing reliance on mobile technology for both personal and business communications. Alongside this, the government has been focusing on managing the flow of misinformation by regulating social media platforms, including taking actions such as blocking 86,000 SIMs involved in anti-state activities, as reported by Parliamentary Secretary Sajid Mehdi in the National Assembly (NA). The government’s efforts to curb the spread of fake news include implementing measures like the restriction of VPN usage to control the flow of false information, showing a keen focus on strengthening regulations under the Electronic Crimes Act.

With the growing importance of digital platforms, broadband subscribers have also surged, reaching 143 million and contributing to a broadband penetration rate of 58.39 percent. However, the government’s role in monitoring and controlling digital platforms cannot be overlooked, as it continues to implement measures, including blocking social media platform X (formerly Twitter), to combat the rise of misinformation. As Mr. Mehdi noted, amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act are expected soon to strengthen regulations and further clamp down on harmful content, ensuring a more secure and regulated online space for users.