Pakistan deploys 1,782 5G sites in 24 cities

Pakistan has installed 1,782 5G network sites in 24 cities, Business Recorder reported on Friday, citing figures shared by IT and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Jazz accounts for 1,015 sites, China Mobile Pakistan’s Zong for 640, and Ufone for 127.

The phased rollout started on March 20, 2026, after licences were signed on March 19. Karachi has the largest city tally at 385, followed by Lahore with 373 and Islamabad with 276. The minister said 607,093 5G-ready handsets were assembled locally from January to August, while the lowest-priced compatible phone costs about Rs36,000; consumers also need a covered area and a compatible handset, but can keep their existing 4G SIM cards.