The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Wednesday that the country’s telecom subscriber base has reached a major milestone of 200 million users. The achievement was highlighted in the PTA’s annual report for 2024–25, reflecting steady growth across the telecom and broadband sectors.
According to the report, broadband connections in Pakistan have crossed 150 million, while overall telecom coverage now exceeds 92 per cent of the population. Broadband penetration has risen above 60 per cent, underscoring the increasing reliance on digital connectivity for communication, education, and commerce across the country.
The PTA noted that total revenue generated by the telecom sector has surpassed one trillion rupees, representing a year-on-year growth of 12 per cent. The sector’s contribution to the national exchequer increased significantly to Rs402 billion, compared to Rs336 billion recorded in 2024. This growth reflects the sector’s expanding role in supporting Pakistan’s economy.
Investment in the telecom sector also showed positive momentum, rising by 9 percent to reach $838 million. During 2025, total data consumption stood at 27,727 petabytes, highlighting a sharp increase in digital usage nationwide. Currently, 95 per cent of cellular networks operate on 4G technology, supported by 17.21 terabits per second (Tbps) of available international bandwidth.
To further strengthen regional and international connectivity, four new high-capacity submarine cable systems are being added. The report also highlighted significant progress in local manufacturing, noting that more than 95 percent of mobile phones used in Pakistan are now produced domestically, including 68 per cent of smartphones.
In addition, the PTA reported improvements in Pakistan’s global cybersecurity ranking. Enhanced consumer protection initiatives have resulted in a 13 per cent reduction in consumer complaints, indicating better service standards and regulatory oversight.
The PTA said these developments demonstrate sustained progress in Pakistan’s telecom sector, driven by investment, innovation, and regulatory reforms, and reaffirm its commitment to expanding access, improving quality of service, and supporting the country’s digital transformation.
