Government Prioritizes High-Speed Internet for Rural Pakistan, National Connectivity Plan to Be Finalized Soon

ISLAMABAD, July 31: The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding affordable high-speed internet services across Pakistan, particularly in villages, remote areas and underserved regions, as it moves to finalize the National Connectivity Plan aimed at accelerating digital inclusion and economic growth.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting on the proposed National Connectivity Plan, attended by Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior government officials. The meeting reviewed measures to extend reliable broadband connectivity to rural communities, bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for freelancers, entrepreneurs and the digital workforce.

Addressing the meeting, Ahad Cheema said the government’s foremost priority is to ensure that people living in remote areas have access to fast, reliable and affordable internet services, enabling them to participate fully in Pakistan’s growing digital economy. He noted that freelancers, e-commerce businesses and other digital professionals continue to face significant challenges due to poor internet connectivity in many parts of the country.

Participants highlighted the importance of expanding Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks and rolling out 5G infrastructure, describing them as key drivers of economic growth, job creation and nationwide digital transformation.

Officials informed the meeting that Pakistan’s digital infrastructure has continued to expand, with FTTH subscriptions reaching 2.8 million, supported by a fiber network spanning 234,000 kilometers, more than 5.1 million house passes and six operational submarine cables.

The meeting also reviewed ambitious targets under the National Connectivity Plan, including increasing house passes to 10 million, raising average fixed broadband download speeds to 85 Mbps, placing Pakistan among the world’s top 50 countries for broadband performance and increasing telecom tower fiberization to 60 percent.

To make digital services more accessible, participants discussed targeted tax relief for internet users in remote areas. Other proposed reforms included eliminating right-of-way fees, establishing a single-window approval portal, introducing district-level licensing and making fixed broadband connectivity mandatory for government offices, educational institutions and healthcare facilities.

Ahad Cheema directed that the National Connectivity Plan be finalized at the earliest following consultations with all stakeholders. He said the government would pursue a phased implementation strategy supported by regulatory reforms, clearly defined responsibilities for telecom operators and performance-based financial incentives to accelerate nationwide fiber deployment while ensuring transparency, efficient use of public resources and the long-term sustainability of the digital infrastructure.