Islamabad: The Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has called for the development of a robust and high-speed telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan to drive digital transformation and boost IT exports. She emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging the forthcoming 5G spectrum auction as a catalyst for growth in the nation’s IT sector.

According to a statement by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Khawaja, while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, highlighted the successful implementation of international 5G spectrum auctions and their role in fostering growth in other countries. She noted that Pakistan aims to learn from these models to maximize the potential of 5G technology domestically.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has engaged international consultants to conduct a comprehensive survey of the existing IT infrastructure and evaluate the country’s readiness for 5G, Khawaja stated. The government is also formulating a National Fiberization Policy to encourage private sector investment in telecommunication infrastructure.

Khawaja emphasized the importance of fiberization for the successful deployment of 5G technology. She expressed optimism that these initiatives would attract both domestic and international investors, thereby enhancing Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure and advancing the nation’s digital transformation objectives.