The GSMA recently hosted the second edition of its Digital Nation Summit Islamabad recognising the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan’s mobile network operators, for their efforts and contributions towards advancing the country’s digital landscape.
During the event, the GSMA published a new report highlighting policy opportunities for the country to close one of APAC’s most significant mobile-Internet usage gaps and position Pakistan as a regional digital leader.
Julian Gorman, GSMA’s Head of Asia Pacific, detailed the key findings and recommendations from the report. He outlined how mobile technologies and services are transforming Asian economies and can contribute an additional $1.4 trillion in GDP for the region by 2030.
However, he also raised concerns that Pakistan risks missing out: although 81% of the country’s population is covered by mobile broadband and 68% own a smartphone, only 29% of people used the mobile Internet last year, leaving a 52% usage gap – the highest among major regional markets.
“Pakistan has the talent, ambition and vision to be a digital powerhouse, but policy barriers are holding it back,” said Julian Gorman. “High spectrum prices, heavy sector-specific taxes and regulatory uncertainty are limiting investment at the very moment Pakistan needs affordable, high-quality connectivity the most. Reform is no longer optional – it is essential for economic growth, social inclusion and global competitiveness.”
Key findings show:
- Spectrum allocation opportunity: Pakistan has one of the region’s lowest allocations of IMT spectrum and its planned 5G multiband auction has been delayed
- Need for sustainable spectrum pricing: across Asia Pacific, spectrum cost-to-revenue ratios rose from 3% in 2014 to 9% in 2023; excessive pricing in Pakistan threatens coverage and speeds
- Scope to rationalise mobile sector taxation: combined taxes on mobile usage reach 33%, among the highest in the region, increasing consumer costs and suppressing demand
- Addressing the mobile usage gap: 52% of Pakistanis live under mobile broadband coverage but do not use it, reflecting barriers of affordability, literacy and trust
- Gender progress: women’s mobile-Internet adoption climbed from 33% to 45% in 2024 – the largest gain in any country surveyed – showing that targeted efforts can work
- Addressing rising digital fraud to build trust: rising digital fraud is eroding trust; Pakistan’s participation in the GSMA APAC Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST) is a positive step but needs scaling
“Pakistan is not merely adapting to the digital age, we are shaping it with purpose and precision,” said Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Pakistan. “Guided by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, the Ministry of IT & Telecom is advancing a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem where innovation drives economic growth and technology empowers every citizen.
“We are proud to position Pakistan among 37 nations with a WebTrust-audited National PKI, alongside achieving a 14% improvement in the ITU ICT Development Index. With over 200 million telecom subscribers, 10 million new broadband users, and a 24% increase in Internet consumption, digital access is expanding at an unprecedented pace.
“Strategic initiatives such as the launch of AI-enabled data centres and Cloud infrastructure, operationalisation of 40 Software Technology Parks, deployment of new submarine cables, and 17 telecom projects extending 1,825km of optic fibre to over 500 underserved areas reflect our commitment to connectivity, innovation, and inclusion. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our mission: to ensure no one is left behind in Pakistan’s digital transformation.”
Policy priorities
To progress Pakistan’s digital acceleration the GSMA report showcases policy opportunities.
Firstly, it calls for comprehensive spectrum reform. Spectrum pricing strategies should balance revenue goals with affordability and network expansion needs. It also recommends releasing additional mid-band frequencies, publish a multi-year roadmap, and permit spectrum sharing and trading so operators can use scarce bandwidth more efficiently.
Secondly, it emphasises the importance of aligning fiscal policy with Pakistan’s digital development goals. Reducing the heavy sector-specific taxes on mobile usage and rationalising duties on devices and services would lower consumer prices and stimulate demand. In parallel, targeted fiscal incentives – such as tax credits for infrastructure investment or R&D can help attract private sector capital and spur innovation across the digital ecosystem.
Thirdly, building digital trust and inclusion is crucial. Expanding anti-fraud initiatives like the GSMA’s APAC Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce and accelerating adoption of GSMA Open Gateway APIs will strengthen security, while dedicated digital-literacy programmes especially for women and rural communities can help close Pakistan’s 52% usage gap.
Fourthly, and finally, the report recommends streamlining regulation to foster innovation. Creating a more predictable and resilient regulatory environment by reviewing network continuity policies and accelerating approval of ‘always-on network’ solutions and adoption technology-neutral rules would create a more thriving environment.
“Asia Pacific is racing ahead on 5G, IoT and AI. With the right policy environment, Pakistan is well positioned to lead regional innovation in areas such as developer services and IT outsourcing,” concluded Julian Gorman. “Our report sets out a clear roadmap; the time to act is now.”
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by visiting our LinkedIn page.