Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced an ambitious plan to significantly expand Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, aiming to increase fiberisation to nearly 60% within the next three years.
Speaking at the EU-Pakistan Business Forum 2026, the federal minister for information technology and telecommunication revealed that currently only about 16% of telecom towers in Pakistan are fiberised. “Our target is that in the next three years, we will increase that to almost 60%,” she said.
In addition, Pakistan plans to expand fibre-to-the-home access, increasing fibreised home passes from around 2–3 million to at least 10 million within two years. This move is expected to improve broadband quality and meet growing data demands.
The minister highlighted policy reforms introduced under the direction of Shehbaz Sharif, including the removal of right-of-way charges to accelerate fibre deployment. She described the initiative as making the sector more “business-friendly and investment-ready.”
Pakistan has also strengthened its international connectivity by landing multiple submarine internet cables, with two expected to become operational this year and another next year. Agreements with Central Asian countries are also in place to position Pakistan as a regional data transit hub.
Over the past two years, the country has recorded approximately 25% growth in data usage, driven by a young, digitally engaged population of over 150 million users. To support this surge, the government recently conducted a major spectrum auction across five frequency bands ranging from 700 MHz to 3500 MHz. A total of 480 MHz was allocated, increasing Pakistan’s overall spectrum capacity to more than 750 MHz.
“This is not a marginal improvement but a structural correction required for future connectivity needs,” Khawaja said, noting that the expansion will strengthen existing 4G services and pave the way for 5G rollout.
Currently, Pakistan’s connectivity landscape is dominated by mobile broadband, with about 98% of users relying on wireless networks and only 2% using fibre-based connections. Expanding fibre infrastructure is seen as critical for supporting future digital demand and economic growth.
The minister added that Pakistan is aligning its regulatory framework with the General Data Protection Regulation to ensure transparency and trust in digital systems. With a population exceeding 240 million, including around 200 million mobile subscribers and 150 million mobile internet users, the country presents a significant opportunity for digital investment.
She also highlighted the role of RAAST in driving the transition toward a cashless economy, improving financial inclusion and transparency across the country.