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Telecom operators invest $178.57 million in Pakistan’s 5G rollout

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan’s major telecom operators have invested an estimated $178.57 million in the deployment of 5G networks across the country up to June 2026, the Senate has been informed.

The investment details were presented in a written reply submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications in response to a question raised by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.

According to the government’s data, Zong emerged as the largest investor in the country’s 5G rollout, committing around $98.9 million by June 2026. Jazz followed with an investment of approximately $59.67 million, while Ufone invested an estimated $20 million during the same period.

The figures were based on information provided directly by the respective mobile network operators.

No Foreign Investment Target Set for 5G

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the Senate that the government had not imposed any specific foreign direct investment (FDI) target on telecom companies as part of the country’s 5G rollout policy.

She said the Policy Directive for the Spectrum Auction, issued on January 6, 2026, did not include a requirement for operators to attract a particular amount of foreign investment for the deployment of 5G services.

The minister clarified that the investment figures presented before the Senate represented data supplied by the operators themselves.

Operators Plan Additional 5G Investment

Telecom companies are also preparing to increase their investment in 5G infrastructure during fiscal year 2026-27.

Jazz has projected an additional investment of approximately $30.33 million, while Zong expects to spend around $39.9 million on further 5G deployment during the year.

A specific investment projection for Ufone was not available at this stage. According to the written response, the company’s future investment figures will be shared once its ongoing merger-related activities are completed.

The government also noted that Ufone’s previously reported $20 million investment in the 5G rollout was an estimated figure.

More Than 1,100 Sites Upgraded to 5G

The Senate was also informed that mobile operators had upgraded 1,136 sites to support 5G services across Pakistan by June 2026.

Punjab recorded the highest number of upgraded sites, with 587 locations, reflecting the province’s large subscriber base and extensive telecom infrastructure.

The regional breakdown showed:

  •  Punjab: 587 5G-upgraded sites
  •  Sindh: 262 sites
  •  Islamabad Capital Territory: 192 sites
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 64 sites
  • Balochistan: 31 sites

No 5G-upgraded sites were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the province-wise figures submitted to the Senate.

Pakistan Has 10,499 Fiberized Sites

The government’s response also provided an update on the country’s broader telecom infrastructure, particularly the expansion of fiber-optic connectivity.

Pakistan had a total of 10,499 fiberized telecom sites, with the overall fiberization rate standing at approximately 17.2 percent.

Punjab had the largest number of fiberized sites at 6,153, followed by Sindh with 2,121 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 953.

The figures for other regions were:

  • Islamabad: 521 fiberized sites
  • Balochistan: 417 sites
  • Gilgit-Baltistan: 196 sites
  • Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 138 sites

Despite having fewer fiberized locations in absolute numbers, Gilgit-Baltistan recorded the highest fiberization rate at 36.3 percent. Islamabad ranked second with a rate of 30.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest fiberization rate at 9.5 percent.

5G Expansion Linked to Digital Connectivity

The continued investment by telecom operators is expected to support the expansion of high-speed mobile connectivity and strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.

The deployment of 5G technology is also being viewed as an important step toward improving mobile broadband capacity, supporting digital businesses and enabling emerging technologies that require faster and more reliable networks.

With operators planning further investment during FY2026-27, the scale of Pakistan’s 5G network is expected to expand further. However, the pace of deployment will also depend on infrastructure development, fiberization, spectrum utilization and the completion of ongoing corporate and regulatory processes.

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