Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that efforts are underway to introduce 5G internet in Pakistan, aiming to provide faster and more reliable internet services. The move is part of the government’s broader vision to achieve a Digital Pakistan.
Addressing a delegation from VEON Group, a multinational telecommunications and digital services company, in Islamabad, the Prime Minister highlighted that the introduction of 5G technology would not only improve internet speeds but also enhance Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy.
Currently, Pakistan has been grappling with slow internet speeds for several months, with users experiencing frequent social media outages and service disruptions. The country’s internet infrastructure has fallen behind international standards, and issues like these threaten to further isolate Pakistan from the rapidly evolving digital world.
Since February, access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been restricted, and other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat have also faced disruptions. However, last week, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed that the internet services had been fully restored after repairs were made to the SMW4 underwater cable, which had been out of service for several months due to defects in the SMW4 (June) and AAE1 (August) cables.
Despite these setbacks, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving $25 billion in IT exports over the next three years. He stressed that the government is working to strengthen the telecommunications sector as part of its broader strategy to promote telecommunication, digitization, and artificial intelligence in Pakistan.
The VEON Group delegation acknowledged the government’s efforts in stabilizing the economy and noted that Pakistan has become an increasingly important destination for investment in the IT and telecom sectors. The delegation also expressed support for continued collaboration with the government to advance Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Through the introduction of 5G technology and the promotion of the digital economy, Pakistan aims to enhance its global competitiveness and improve the quality of internet services for its citizens.
