ISLAMABAD
\nFederal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said the future of connectivity lies not only in the successful deployment of 5G but also in our ability to leverage its potential for economic and social transformation.
\nThis is not just a technological shift\u2014it is an opportunity to reshape Pakistan\u2019s future, he said.
\nPlanning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said this while addressing as chief guest to the Opening Ceremony of Regulatory Master class \u201c5G and Beyond Shaping The Future of Connectivity\u201d said a release issued here.
\nThe Minister said that through initiatives such as e-Pakistan, part of our national digital strategy, we are working to digitize governance, expand e-services, and create a Smart Pakistan where technology becomes the foundation of public service delivery and economic growth.
\n\u201cI urge all stakeholders\u2014government, regulators, industry leaders, and academia\u2014to work together in building a robust digital infrastructure, adopting best global practices, and ensuring that 5G benefits all segments of society\u201d he said.
\nAhsan said that this forum is a critical platform to explore the transformative potential of 5G and emerging connectivity technologies while fostering deeper cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia in shaping the digital future of our nations and the world at large.
\n\u201cI would like to acknowledge the visionary collaboration between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), formalized through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last October.
\nThis partnership marks a major milestone in strengthening the ties between our two countries, particularly in the fields of telecommunications, digital innovation, and connectivity.\u201d
\nAs \u201cwe transition into a hyper-connected era, the impact of 5G technology extends beyond faster internet speeds\u2014it is a catalyst for industrial transformation and economic growth\u201d he said.
\nHe said the World Economic Forum estimates that 5G could add up to $13.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030, unlocking immense opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, transportation, and smart cities.
\nThis is a defining moment for Pakistan as we embrace digital connectivity as a core driver of national development, he said.
\nSpeaking on the role of 5G in driving innovation and digital transformation, he said that 5G is not just an upgrade\u2014it is a technological revolution.
\nIt has the potential to support over 1 million connected devices per square kilometer and offers 100 times faster speeds than 4G, making it the backbone for the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and next-generation automation, he said.
\nThe Minister said that Pakistan, with a youthful population where 60% are under the age of 30, is uniquely positioned to harness the benefits of 5G.
\nHe said this demographic dividend provides an opportunity to create a new wave of digital entrepreneurs and tech-driven solutions that can uplift our economy.
\nAhsan said that consider the impact on agriculture, a sector that employs over 40% of Pakistan\u2019s workforce.
\nThrough 5G-enabled smart farming,\u201cWe can introduce real-time monitoring of soil conditions, automated irrigation, and drone-assisted crop management\u2014leading to 30-50% improved yield efficiency, according to McKinsey research.\u201d
\nHe said that in the healthcare sector, 5G-powered telemedicine and remote robotic surgeries can bridge the gap between urban hospitals and underserved rural populations, where over 70% of Pakistanis reside.
\nHe said that to support this transformation, Pakistan has launched the URAAN Initiative\u2014Universal Rural and Remote Access Network\u2014aiming to connect 100 million people by 2025.
\nThe Minister said that this initiative is part of our broader strategy to ensure that digital inclusion reaches every corner of the country and the integration of 5G with URAAN will enable remote learning, financial inclusion, and e-commerce expansion, ensuring that no region is left behind.
\nHe said that Pakistan has already raised over Rs 85 billion through its 3G and 4G spectrum auctions, which helped expand mobile broadband penetration from 3% in 2014 to over 55% in 2024.
\nHe said that now, as we prepare for the 5G spectrum auction, expected to take place later this year, our goal is to create a competitive and transparent process that maximizes both investment and service quality.
\nBy adopting global best practices, ensuring spectrum-sharing mechanisms, and incentivizing private sector participation, Pakistan can accelerate its transition to 5G while ensuring affordability and accessibility for consumers, he said.
\nIn Pakistan, \u201cwe recognize the need to modernize our regulatory approach to facilitate faster network expansion while addressing concerns related to data security, privacy, and fair competition\u201d he said.
\nHe said the Pakistan Digital Regulatory Framework 2025 is currently being developed to provide clear guidelines for spectrum usage, cross-border data flows, and emerging technologies like AI-powered networks and blockchain-driven telecom security.
\n\u201cWe are also working on new Digital Infrastructure Investment Policies that will attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and foster greater collaboration between government, industry, and academia to build a resilient digital ecosystem.\u201d
\nPakistan has much to learn from Malaysia\u2019s experience with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the state-run entity that spearheaded the country\u2019s single wholesale 5G network model.
\nBy ensuring infrastructure-sharing among telecom operators, Malaysia has achieved 80% 5G population coverage in just three years\u2014a feat that offers valuable insights for Pakistan\u2019s 5G rollout.
\n\u201cI extend my gratitude to PTA and MCMC for organizing this vital platform and for their continued partnership. Let us make today\u2019s discussions a stepping stone toward a more connected, innovative, and digitally empowered Pakistan\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said the future of connectivity lies not only in the successful deployment of 5G but also in our ability to leverage its potential for economic and social transformation. This is not just a technological shift\u2014it is an opportunity to reshape Pakistan\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":442566,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-462225","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n