The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in its reply to the National Assembly, said the cheapest 5G-compatible handset costs approximately Rs. 36,000. It did not name any specific model.
Between January and August 2026, a total of 607,093 5G-capable handsets were locally assembled. Pakistan has deployed 1,782 5G sites across 24 cities. Jazz leads with 1,015 sites, followed by Zong (CMPak) with 640 and Ufone with 127.
By city, Karachi has 385 sites, Lahore has 373, Islamabad 276, Faisalabad 144, Peshawar 122, Rawalpindi 108, Sialkot 87 and Quetta 65.
The multiband spectrum auction and licence signing took place on 19 March 2026, and the first phase is underway. The ministry did not state any nationwide deadline for making affordable 5G available to all users.