Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan Software Houses Association has termed the introduction of 5G technology a transformative step for Pakistan, saying the next-generation network could significantly accelerate the country’s IT exports and digital economy.
In a statement, the association said the rollout of 5G would mark a shift from the current double-digit growth of the IT sector to “full-throttle expansion,” enabling Pakistani technology firms to compete more effectively in global markets. P@SHA noted that it has consistently advocated for expanding the country’s connectivity spectrum and improving digital infrastructure at the highest policymaking levels.
P@SHA has specifically highlighted the untiring efforts of the Prime Minister; the Federal Minister for Information & Telecom (MoITT), Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in the fair, transparent and successful 5G spectrum auction, that has also generated $507 million for the country in foreign exchange.
The apex representative body of the Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) sectors emphasized that the transition to multi-gigabit 5G infrastructure is not merely an upgrade in internet speed, but a necessary enabler for next-generation technological advancement and global competitiveness.
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According to P@SHA, the rollout will deliver ultra-low latency and massive network capacity, unlocking several key benefits for the national economy as global integration would be made smoother on the back of reliable, high-speed connectivity – allowing software houses and tech enterprises to seamlessly integrate with global supply chains.
Zero-latency communication is expected to empower Pakistani firms to deliver complex, data-heavy projects to international clients with unprecedented efficiency – resulting in further acceleration of Pakistan’s IT exports, which is set to emerge as the second largest exporting industry of the country in the near future.
Chairman P@SHA Sajjad Mustafa Syed explained that 5G was indispensable for catalysing emerging technologies as 5G will provide the essential backbone for data-intensive technologies. This will accelerate the local development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented reality applications across sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture and smart city infrastructure.
P@SHA has maintained that transitioning to 5G would enable cloud ecosystem growth with enhanced network capabilities; and, local businesses will be able to fully leverage cloud and edge computing solutions, thereby reducing operational costs, enhancing cyber security and allowing startups to scale rapidly.
“The integration of 5G is a watershed moment for Pakistan’s IT industry,” P@SHA Chief elaborated. “To achieve our ambitious IT export targets, we need world-class infrastructure. 5G is the digital highway that will allow our brilliant developers, innovative startups and established tech enterprises to compete and win on the global stage.”
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The association concluded by urging the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom operators to ensure a rapid, equitable and industry-friendly rollout to meet the sector’s growing infrastructure demands.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
