Only around 1.8 million people use 5G, with services being introduced in 24 cities, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom on 3 November 2026. The figure — sometimes misreported as 18 million — is 1.8 million, confirmed by both the minister’s remarks and the committee coverage.
A Small User Base So Far
The 1.8 million figure shows how early 5G still is. The minister said the government had conducted a 5G spectrum auction to introduce the technology, noting that no spectrum auction had taken place after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left office, when 4G services were introduced. The current government moved forward with the 5G auction, and rollout is now under way in 24 cities.
Sukkur Has Only Two 5G Sites
Committee members raised concerns about the uneven distribution of 5G infrastructure. The committee chairman pointed out that Sukkur, the country’s third-largest city, has only two 5G sites. Another member said the 5G rollout in Sindh had mainly focused on Karachi, and the chairman stressed the need to improve telecom services in Balochistan, described as the country’s most underdeveloped province.
Lawmakers also questioned how the country could move towards 5G when users in several areas were still struggling with basic 3G and 4G connectivity. One member said mobile internet services had deteriorated since the introduction of 5G, while another complained that even basic network services were unavailable in parts of Sindh.
What Officials Say Is Holding Rollout Back
The minister acknowledged that telecom services faced several challenges, including infrastructure theft and electricity-related problems. She said entire telecom towers, generators and diesel were sometimes stolen, affecting network operations. Rising data consumption from social media and artificial intelligence was also increasing pressure on telecom infrastructure, she said.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) is working to improve connectivity in underserved areas, officials told the committee, prioritising projects in remote regions. The fund installed 468 sites across the country over the past two years, with several projects completed and others still under development.
5G Coverage Gaps FAQs
How many 5G users are there?
Around 1.8 million, according to the IT minister’s remarks to the NA committee on 3 November 2026. Reports saying 18 million are wrong — the correct figure is 1.8 million.
In how many cities is 5G available?
5G services are being introduced in 24 cities.
Why is Sukkur mentioned?
Sukkur is the country’s third-largest city, yet it has only two 5G sites — the committee chairman used it as an example of uneven rollout.
Is 5G rollout focused on Karachi?
Committee members said the Sindh rollout had mainly focused on Karachi, and called for better services in Balochistan and other underserved areas.
What is slowing down the rollout?
Officials cited theft of towers, generators and diesel, power outages, and rising data consumption from social media and AI.
What is the USF doing about underserved areas?
The Universal Service Fund is prioritising projects in remote regions and installed 468 sites across the country over the past two years.
Conclusion
1.8 million users in 24 cities is a start, not a transformation — and the Sukkur example shows the risk that 5G becomes a big-city service while smaller cities wait. Until rollout spreads beyond the main metros and basic 4G quality improves, most users will experience 5G as a headline rather than a service they can actually use.
