Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious national strategy to revolutionise its digital infrastructure by the year 2029. Under this plan, the government aims to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity to nearly 10 million households, promising a complete shift in the country’s digital landscape.
The “National Fiberization Plan” — A Massive Internet Upgrade
The government of Pakistan has launched an extensive project called the National Fiberization Plan, targeting fixed broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps for every household connected under the scheme.
If successful, the initiative could become one of Pakistan’s biggest technological achievements, accelerating public services, boosting economic activity and eliminating long-standing criticism regarding slow government processes.
Why Pakistan Needs This Upgrade
According to The Express Tribune, Pakistan currently struggles with:
- Low internet penetration
- Extremely slow deployment of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH)
- Fragmented and outdated network systems
- Under-utilised spectrum
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
To improve its global standing, the government wants Pakistan to secure a position among the Top 50 countries in internet performance.
As part of this effort, 80% of the country’s mobile towers will be connected to fibre, enhancing 4G services and laying the foundation for a full 5G rollout.
Pakistan also aims to climb the global internet speed rankings released by Ookla.
Who Is Leading the Project?
The entire initiative is being spearheaded by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), with support from the World Bank.
The project, formally titled the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), is designed to improve the speed, accessibility and efficiency of government services by digitising them.
A consultancy firm is now being selected to prepare an investment roadmap for the massive fibre expansion.
Fibre Deployment at the Core of the Mission
To accelerate progress, Pakistan is introducing a new policy known as Administrative Incentive Pricing (AIP).
The objective is to encourage telecom operators to invest their resources in fibre deployment instead of hoarding spectrum.
The government believes this policy shift will significantly speed up nationwide fibre rollout.
How Much Fibre Has Been Laid So Far?
Optical fibre expert Syed Muhammad Taha Owais explains that demand for high-speed internet in urban households and corporate offices has risen sharply.
Pakistan’s current global ranking is low mainly due to outdated technology and limited fibre usage.
As of now, over 211,000 kilometres of optical fibre have already been deployed across the country.
The entry of fibre into commercial hubs and well-developed areas has already improved connectivity and boosted business opportunities.
Pakistan’s Digital Dream
IT exporter Dr. Noman A. Saeed emphasises that without fibre connectivity in every home, Pakistan cannot build an AI-driven, cloud-based, data-powered economy.
Delays would cripple new businesses even before they begin.
This plan is not just about fast internet — it is about transforming Pakistan into a truly digital nation capable of competing in the global tech arena.
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