Karachi — 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 announced at the inauguration of the 26th ITCN Asia Expo in Karachi.
Acknowledging the financial and technical challenges highlighted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in its 2024 report, Khawaja stressed that digital development remains a national priority. She cited a recent IT-focused agreement with Saudi Arabia as a key step to strengthen infrastructure and drive economic growth.
The minister linked digital progress with broader economic stability, noting improvements in inflation and macroeconomic indicators. “Karachi carries the weight of the country’s economic development,” she said, emphasizing Pakistan’s resilience and recognition under the Digital Pakistan initiative.
Khawaja confirmed that the federal cabinet has approved Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence policy, with plans to train 500,000 to 1 million youth in AI and cybersecurity by year-end. She underscored the importance of equipping the next generation for digital careers, remarking: “Those who know the right use of technology will replace traditional positions.”
On connectivity concerns, she pointed to recent damage to two submarine cables in the Red Sea near Jeddah that disrupted services but assured that the government is expanding cable capacity and fiberisation projects to improve reliability. She also revealed that Pakistan had blocked recent hacking attempts from India, ensuring the security of government websites during heightened tensions.
The rollout of 5G represents a major step toward boosting Pakistan’s digital economy, expanding high-speed internet access, and positioning the country as a regional hub for innovation and investment.
