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Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced Tuesday that the country plans to roll out 5G services within the next few months, starting with seven major cities. This development follows the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s 2024 report, which expressed concerns that despite increasing broadband adoption, Pakistan might face challenges transitioning to 5G technology.
There are ongoing concerns about the financial hurdles linked to upgrading to 5G, even as mobile and internet usage continues to grow across the nation. During the launch event of the 26th ITCN Asia Expo at Karachi’s Expo Centre, Khawaja emphasized efforts to improve nationwide internet reliability.
She highlighted that information technology would be a key component of the recently signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia agreement, aimed at bolstering the country’s digital infrastructure and economic growth. Khawaja also pointed out that Pakistan has shifted away from default fears, with inflation decreasing and macroeconomic stability improving. She noted Karachi’s significant role in the country’s economic progress.
The minister added that Pakistan is earning international recognition for resilience and is making steady advancements in technology under the “Digital Pakistan” initiative. She credited the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) with enhancing the investment climate and easing business procedures.
Khawaja shared that the cabinet has approved a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, with the government working on its implementation. She projected that by the end of this year, between half a million to one million youth would be trained in AI and cybersecurity.
She urged young people to leverage technology wisely, emphasizing that those proficient in the right use of tech could replace traditional jobs. Addressing connectivity issues, she explained that disruptions caused by two damaged submarine cables near Jeddah in the Red Sea have affected network performance. She reassured the public that efforts are underway to increase submarine cable capacity and improve fiber optic infrastructure to enhance internet stability.
Additionally, Khawaja revealed that Pakistan has successfully thwarted recent hacking attempts from India during escalating conflicts, ensuring that none of the government’s websites were compromised.
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