Islamabad:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released a new report analyzing Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, which reveals significant structural challenges and persistent gaps in digital infrastructure and adoption.
The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the country’s digital development to help politicians and stakeholders make informed decisions. It concludes that Pakistan falls significantly behind other nations in promoting digital connection and modernizing its telecom sector.
According to the report, Pakistan hangs many countries in the promotion of 4G technology and has not yet rolled out 5G services. It is also one of the most treasured telecom markets in the region that discourages both investments and the affordable prices of the user.
While Pakistan’s telecommunications sector is currently appreciated at $ 4.52 billion, it is expected to grow to $ 5.32 billion by 2029. However, the growth of a lack of fiber optic expansion and minimal investments in digital networks is thrown largely due to political instability and political ship in the last five years.
One of the report’s most mentions is Pakistan’s continued delay in the auction of 5G spectrum, while 101 countries have already launched commercial 5G services. The government has also not made any expenses for 3G spectrum, which highlights further stagnation in network development.
ADB notes that Pakistan’s digital economy only contributes 1.5% to GDP, far below its potential. Fixed broadband penetration remains alarmingly low by 1.3%, one of the lowest rates in the region.
The report also draws attention to sharp differences in digital access, especially for women and low -income groups. While 80% of the population is covered by mobile Internet networks, actually use is limited. Ownership of mobile phones is 86% for men and 53% for women, with Internet access only reaching 53% of men and 33% of women.
