Relief for Pakistan’s 5G rollout has been urgently requested by telecom operators who submitted joint proposals to the government, calling for rupee-based spectrum pricing, tax exemptions, and interest-free installment payments over ten years, operators explained that currency volatility has made dollar-based payments risky, so linking spectrum costs to a stable exchange rate is essential, they added that setting a minimum benchmark to allow average revenue per user to reach $2 within three years will ensure affordability and long-term sustainability, and this measure will encourage more private investment across urban and rural areas while enabling faster nationwide deployment.
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Deployment challenges include high infrastructure costs, industrial electricity rates, and universal service fund contributions, so operators proposed suspension of USF and R&D fees for two years, combined with harmonized GST at 16% nationwide to stimulate mobile data usage, they also suggested declaring 5G equipment, mobile phones, and related infrastructure tax-exempt while reducing withholding tax from 15% to 8%, emphasizing that these incentives are critical to make 5G rollout commercially viable, attract investors, and accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation efficiently.
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Transformation will also depend on improved regulations and infrastructure policies, so telecom companies urged the government to finalize frameworks for spectrum sharing, handset financing, and MVNO policies, noting that a simple, standardized, and uniform Right of Way process is crucial for rapid network expansion, operators stressed that coordinated efforts between government and industry will improve service quality, enhance competition, and create a supportive ecosystem, which will benefit both consumers and businesses while positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in next-generation mobile technology across the region.
Region-wide benefits will include broader connectivity, increased investment, and economic growth, and operators believe that the proposed measures, if implemented effectively, can bridge the digital divide, support rural and urban areas equally, and ensure that Pakistan’s 5G rollout is inclusive, sustainable, and commercially successful, while the government’s active role will guarantee smooth coordination, policy clarity, and long-term support for the telecom sector, ultimately strengthening Pakistan’s position in global digital markets.