Pakistan has around 1.8 million 5G users, with next-generation mobile services now available in 24 cities as the government continues expanding the country’s 5G network.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared the figures during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom on Tuesday.

She said the government had conducted a 5G spectrum auction to introduce the technology in Pakistan, adding that no spectrum auction had taken place after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left office.

The minister said Nawaz Sharif’s government had introduced 4G services, while the current government had taken the next step by holding the 5G spectrum auction.

However, lawmakers questioned the quality of existing mobile services, arguing that Pakistan was moving towards 5G while users in several areas continued to face problems with basic 3G and 4G connectivity.

One committee member claimed that mobile internet services had deteriorated since 5G was introduced. Another pointed out that basic network services remained unavailable in parts of Sindh.

Shaza Fatima acknowledged the challenges facing telecom operators, including infrastructure theft and electricity shortages.

She said telecom companies sometimes faced theft of entire mobile towers, generators and diesel supplies, disrupting network operations.

The minister also highlighted rising data consumption driven by social media platforms and artificial intelligence, saying it was adding pressure on the country’s telecom infrastructure.