Pakistan’s IT minister acknowledges slow internet speed

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja has admitted to the slow internet speed in Pakistan, promising improvement with the adoption of the upcoming “fiberisation policy and the rollout of 5G technology. 

Speaking at the National Broadband Network Forum in Islamabad, the minister acknowledged the existing connectivity challenges, emphasising that faster internet services are critical for the country’s digital future.

“The internet speed in Pakistan is low, but with fiberisation and the introduction of 5G, the situation will improve significantly,” she said. 

Khawaja announced that the auction for the 5G spectrum is scheduled for April. She further said that while 5G will be launched, efforts to enhance 4G services were also under way.

She said that Pakistan faces daily cyberattacks and highlighted the government’s focus on cybersecurity and data protection. 

“The responsibility of ensuring cybersecurity and data protection lies with us, and we are giving it our utmost attention,” the minister said. 

She also outlined broader plans for the country’s digital transformation, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established the National Digital Commission, which will provide a five-year roadmap for digital progress.

“The Digital Pakistan Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly, and we are optimistic it will pass soon,” Khawaja said.

“The bill’s approval would pave the way for the formal establishment of the National Digital Commission, with the prime minister at its helm,” she said. 

She expressed hope for bipartisan support for the Digital Pakistan Bill.

The commission, she said, would oversee the creation of a Digital Authority tasked with driving the country’s digital agenda. “In the coming years, internet speeds in Pakistan will improve,” she assured. 

Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani also addressed the forum and called for creating favourable environment for public-private partnerships to drive the digital agenda and ensure an effective deployment of the advanced technology.

He expressed that the demand for connectivity is increasing and so does happen to population of the country. Therefore, “It is our responsibility to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Pakistanis have high quality broadband services,” he said.