Asif Mahmood

For years, Pakistan has spoken of becoming a digital nation. But while the world moved forward, our march toward 5G has been stuck in the mud of legal battles, weak regulation, and elite capture. The tragedy is not just about technology being delayed. It is about how national progress was held hostage by vested interests exploiting a broken system.

The story goes back nearly three decades. In 1995, a company was given a TV license with limited spectrum use for just one year. Instead of following the rules, it secured stay orders from courts and kept operating for years without clearance. Fresh licenses were issued despite violations, and whenever regulators tried to act, more stay orders arrived. By 2024, new litigation once again froze the issue, turning a temporary license into a decades-long stranglehold.

This saga highlights the dark side of governance in Pakistan. Regulators like PEMRA and FAB looked away, governments lacked the will to act, and courts allowed cases to drag on endlessly. The result was paralysis. While other nations raced ahead, Pakistan was left behind. Justice delayed became progress denied.

The cost has been massive. Pakistan could have been an early adopter of 5G. Instead, consumers continue to suffer poor internet quality. Entire sectors from education to agriculture remain far from the digital revolution. Even today, only 14 percent of mobile towers are fiber-connected, and most of the network runs on outdated 2G. High taxes and power shortages further discourage investment.

There are glimpses of hope. IT exports have grown to $3.8 billion, freelancers contribute nearly $700 million, and youth training programs are producing new talent. The government promises a 5G auction by December 2025, with plans for more submarine cables, satellite internet, and easier right of way for fiber. If done transparently, these steps could attract investment and create jobs. But none of this will matter if old habits persist.

Spectrum is not just a technical matter. It is a national resource. If it remains tied up in stay orders and manipulated by vested interests, the dream of a digital Pakistan will remain a slogan. Breaking the culture of elite impunity and ending the misuse of stay orders is the only way forward. The future cannot be held hostage any longer.