Pakistan entered a new phase of technological transformation as Zong, a subsidiary of Chinese telecommunications giant China Mobile Limited, officially secured its 5G license and commercially launched next-generation 5G services across more than 16 major cities, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan-China digital cooperation and the country’s broader modernization agenda.
The launch on Thursday afternoon covers key urban centres including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, signalling the beginning of large-scale deployment of ultra-fast connectivity aimed at accelerating innovation, economic growth, and digital inclusion nationwide.
Zong announced an ambitious plan to deploy and upgrade more than 1,000 5G sites across Pakistan during 2026, reflecting a long-term strategic commitment to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem. The rollout represents the culmination of years of technological groundwork since Pakistan’s first 5G trial conducted by the company in 2019.
Powered by globally benchmarked infrastructure and Chinese technological expertise, trial demonstrations have already achieved speeds exceeding 1.4Gbps, positioning Pakistan among emerging markets rapidly adopting advanced telecommunications technologies.
Industry observers noted that Zong’s Chinese backing brings global innovation standards and investment capacity, strengthening Pakistan’s technological infrastructure under the broader framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). High-speed connectivity is expected to support smart industries, digital healthcare, precision agriculture, and innovation-driven economic growth aligned with Pakistan Vision 2030 and the government’s Digital Pakistan initiative.
