Pakistan’s long-standing struggle with slow and unreliable internet connectivity has finally been acknowledged at the highest policy level, and more importantly, it is being addressed with clarity and resolve. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s candid admission that persistent internet speed issues stem from a severe shortage of spectrum marks a refreshing departure from vague explanations. Her announcement of a major spectrum auction and preparations for Pakistan’s first-ever 5G rollout signals a decisive shift toward future-ready digital governance.
At the heart of the problem lies a structural imbalance. Pakistan is currently running its entire mobile internet ecosystem on just 274 megahertz of spectrum for a population nearing 240 million. The minister’s analogy of “trying to run four-lane traffic on a two-lane road” aptly captures the strain on existing digital infrastructure. In a region where neighboring countries have moved aggressively to expand spectrum availability, Pakistan’s lag has inevitably translated into slower speeds, congestion, and frustrated users. The comparison with Bangladesh operating with nearly 600 megahertz of spectrum despite a smaller population underscores how critical this deficit has been.
The federal cabinet’s approval of a new spectrum auction framework is therefore a timely and strategic intervention. The planned release of approximately 600 megahertz of additional spectrum, including seven bands five of them being auctioned for the first time has the potential to fundamentally transform Pakistan’s connectivity landscape. This is not merely a technical exercise; it is an economic and social imperative. Reliable, high-speed internet today underpins everything from e-commerce, fintech, and software........

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