Pakistan’s internet connections reached 5.10 million in 2026, marking a dramatic increase from just 1.9 million recorded in 2024 and reflecting a period of accelerated expansion in the country’s digital infrastructure. The figures were highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif focused on the expansion of the information technology sector and the government’s efforts to grow Pakistan’s information technology related exports, with the prime minister underlining the role of the country’s youth as one of its most significant assets in driving that agenda forward.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for greater cooperation between federal, provincial, and district governments to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas, emphasising that the benefits of information technology must be made accessible equally across the country rather than remaining concentrated in major cities. He also directed attention toward improving the performance of Easy Service Centers as a mechanism for enhancing public service delivery and increasing operational efficiency within government institutions. Pakistan’s information technology exports are projected to reach between $4.5 billion and $4.6 billion during the current fiscal year, reflecting growing international demand for Pakistani technology services and a maturing ecosystem of software development, freelancing, and business process outsourcing capabilities. The country’s fifth-generation spectrum auction, which generated a record $509 million in revenue and was described as the largest such auction globally since 2016, was also cited as a landmark achievement in the sector’s evolution.
Several additional milestones were presented at the review meeting that illustrate the breadth of the government’s digital push. The Indus AI Week held in February 2026 drew more than 100 international delegates across 30 cities, signalling growing international recognition of Pakistan’s artificial intelligence ambitions. Internet connectivity has been extended to public schools and health units across Islamabad, bringing digital access to institutions that serve some of the most foundational civic needs in the capital. The installation of free internet hotspots across Islamabad is also entering its final stages, and the government is establishing e-learning pods at key public locations including Syed Pur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park to improve citizen access to digital education resources. Together, these developments point to a coordinated effort to convert Pakistan’s infrastructure investments into tangible improvements in public access, skills development, and economic opportunity through the information technology sector.
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