5G in Pakistan: Where It Is, What's Holding It Back, and What to Expect by 2026

If 4G was the candle, 5G is the floodlight "" faster uploads, near-instant response, and the kind of low-latency connections that unlock things like smart factories, cloud gaming, and real-time AI services. Pakistan has been preparing for that floodlight for years; in 2025 the conversation turned from could we to when will we. Here's the state of play.

Where 5G is right now (tests, pilots, and the first cities)

• Trials & lab work: Pakistani mobile operators (Zong, Jazz, others) ran 5G trials and lab demonstrations over the last few years; regulators and consultants have been preparing spectrum roadmaps and auction designs.
• Government roadmap (late-2025): Officials announced plans to launch 5G services in seven major cities in the coming months "" Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta have been named as initial launch targets. This is the public roadmap being pushed by the Ministry of IT & Telecom.
• Practical picture today: as of 2025 Pakistan still lags many regional peers in wide commercial 5G coverage "" most activity so far has been pilots, limited trials, and planning for formal spectrum auctions. Operators and the PTA have been preparing procedures and consultancy reports to move from testbeds to commercial launches.

What's holding 5G back (the real bottlenecks)

• Spectrum policy & auction delays "" 5G needs new bands (mid-band and C-band). Pakistan's auction plans have been delayed and reshaped several times; the final licence design, band pricing and auction timeline are politically and technically sensitive. Without timely spectrum allocation, commercial rollouts stall.
• Cost & commercial viability "" 5G requires denser site deployments, upgraded radios, and far more fibre backhaul. For operators this is CAPEX-heavy; high spectrum reserve prices, taxes and regulatory costs make the business case harder in Pakistan compared with countries that subsidize or give preferential rates. Industry bodies have warned about these cost headwinds.
• Backhaul & fibre availability "" 5G cells need robust fibre or microwave backhaul. Pakistan still has gaps in fibre penetration in several cities and last-mile connectivity issues; submarine cable damage and limited international capacity have sometimes strained network performance, highlighting the fragility of backhaul infrastructure.
• Device & band fragmentation "" A 5G phone is only 5G-capable if it supports the specific bands operators use locally. Cheap imports or older international models may lack local bands; consumers should check device band support and PTA approval before buying expecting 5G service. (Spectrum bands being discussed for auction include sub-6GHz bands important for city coverage.)
• Regulatory & policy uncertainty "" Conflicting signals on regulatory fees, licensing currency (foreign vs local), and spectrum pricing have slowed operator commitments. Clear, stable rules are vital for operators and investors to commit the large sums 5G requires.

Where (and how) 5G rollout will likely happen first

• Major metro focus: launches will start in the largest population and business centres "" Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta "" where demand and business cases are strongest. The plan is to light 5G where fibre and capacity exist first, then expand.
• Phased rollout: expect pockets of commercial 5G (city centres, business districts, campus or stadium pilots) rather than wall-to-wall coverage at first. Operators typically focus on high-ARPU customers and enterprise verticals (healthcare, industry, universities).

Device readiness "" what buyers must check

If you want to buy a 5G phone in Pakistan today, check:

• Bands: make sure the phone supports the local 5G bands (watch for sub-6 GHz bands such as n78/n77 ranges being discussed). A global 5G badge ≠ local 5G usability.
• PTA/official variant: buy PTA-approved or official country-SKUs when possible to ensure warranty and correct banding. Grey imports often skip bands or warranty.
• Future-proofing: mid-band support (around 3.5 GHz) and good antenna design matter for city coverage; higher mmWave bands are less relevant initially. Manufacturers and resellers should list supported bands "" verify before purchase.

Realistic expectations: what to expect by end of 2025 and through 2026

• By end-2025: based on government statements and auction timetables, expect initial commercial launches in the named seven cities (mostly hotspots and enterprise areas), but coverage will be limited and focused on dense pockets rather than full-city coverage. Operators may also roll out private/enterprise 5G pilot zones.
• During 2026: broader city coverage grows as operators deploy more sites and fibre/backhaul is scaled; more retail 5G plans will appear, prices will start to come down, and enterprise use-cases (industrial automation, AI inference at edge, fixed wireless access for homes) will become more visible "" assuming auctioned spectrum is affordable, and operators have capital to deploy. Industry analysts expect a phased but steady expansion through 2026 if policy & investment align.

What to watch (indicators that mean 5G is arriving faster)

• Spectrum auction completion & winners announced (dates/terms matter).
• Major operators publishing 5G coverage maps or commercial plans (not just trials).
• Surge in fibre rollout & submarine cable capacity projects "" backhaul improvements are a prerequisite.
• Affordable PTA-approved 5G handsets in the market (local SKUs with correct bands).

Bottom line "" should Pakistanis eagerly wait for 5G or be pragmatic?

Be optimistic but pragmatic:

Yes, 5G is coming and will arrive first in major cities and enterprise pockets. It will unlock low-latency apps, private networks for industry, and better fixed wireless home broadband in areas that lack fibre.

No, it won't be an overnight nationwide miracle. Expect phased rollouts, higher prices early on, and the need to check device band compatibility. The speed at which 5G benefits ordinary users depends heavily on spectrum pricing, operator investment, fibre/backhaul upgrades and regulatory clarity.