Pakistan is set to roll out 5G services in the coming months, starting in seven major cities, announced Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja during the ITCN Asia Expo in Karachi. The government says this will bring faster internet and more reliable connections, aligning with its “Digital Pakistan” ambitions. In recent years Pakistan has faced delays in adopting 5G due to several challenges: limited spectrum allocation, high costs, weak fiber-optic backbone and frequent internet disruptions. In late 2024, consultants working with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority flagged economic constraints, policy gaps and administrative hurdles as major impediments. Meanwhile, the government is also expected to conduct the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction by end of this year, subject to resolution of pending legal or technical matters including spectrum litigation and regulatory oversight.