Broadband internet is now available to 97% of Pakistan’s population, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology.

She told lawmakers that internet consumption has risen sharply over the past several years, prompting the government to expand spectrum availability to support growing demand.

The minister said Pakistan’s total mobile spectrum increased from 274 MHz to 480 MHz following a spectrum auction held in March, providing additional capacity for mobile broadband services and future 5G deployment.

According to Shaza Fatima, the average internet subscriber in Pakistan spends Rs285 per month on data services.

She also said the proposed Telecom Amendment Bill is expected to streamline the Right of Way (RoW) process, making it easier for telecom operators to install network infrastructure and accelerate broadband expansion across the country.