5G services expected to launch by mid of 2025, says IT official

The government plans to launch 5G services in Pakistan by mid-2025, as revealed by Parliamentary Secretary for IT Sabin Ghori during Wednesday’s National Assembly session.

Ghori assured lawmakers that internet speed across the country would improve by mid-year. She also explained that internet slowdowns are caused by various factors, highlighting connectivity and speed challenges faced by users.

PPP’s Agha Rafiullah noted frequent slow internet speeds, saying, “Downloading videos becomes impossible, and the internet often doesn’t work at all.” MPA Shagufta Jumani referenced PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto’s humorous remark about mysterious “fish” chewing through Pakistan’s internet cables.

However, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) 2024 annual report warned that Pakistan may face challenges transitioning to 5G, despite growing broadband penetration.

The report noted that investment in Pakistan’s telecom sector dropped from $1.6 billion in 2021–2022 to $765 million in 2023–2024. It also highlighted that average revenue per user in dollar terms had declined compared to similar countries, although it increased in rupee terms.

The PTA further emphasized that 5G adoption would be financially burdensome for telecom operators, with slow returns on large upfront investments potentially leading to caution in the industry.