5G in Pakistan: 1,782 Sites Live in 24 Cities, Jazz Leads With 1,015
5G in Pakistan is now available at 1,782 sites in 24 cities, IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said in a…
5G in Pakistan is now available at 1,782 sites in 24 cities, IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said in a reply reported on 23 October 2026. Jazz has the most 5G sites with 1,015, followed by Zong (China Mobile Pakistan) with 640 and Ufone with 127. Karachi has the most sites of any city, at 385.
5G in Pakistan: sites by operator
| Operator | 5G sites | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz | 1,015 | 57% |
| Zong (China Mobile Pakistan) | 640 | 36% |
| Ufone | 127 | 7% |
| Total | 1,782 | 100% |
Source: minister’s reply reported by Business Recorder (23 October 2026). Shares are our calculation.
Top 10 cities by 5G sites
| City | 5G sites |
|---|---|
| Karachi | 385 |
| Lahore | 373 |
| Islamabad | 276 |
| Faisalabad | 144 |
| Peshawar | 122 |
| Rawalpindi | 108 |
| Multan | 103 |
| Sialkot | 87 |
| Quetta | 65 |
| Sheikhupura | 55 |
The other cities with 5G sites are Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Abbottabad, Attock, Jhelum, Kasur, Kohat, Mardan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sukkur, Swabi, Chitral and Gujrat. Jazz leads in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan, while Zong leads in Peshawar, Quetta, Sheikhupura and Sialkot.
How the 5G rollout works
- Licences: Next Generation Mobile Services licences were signed on 19 March 2026 after a multiband spectrum auction.
- Rollout: began on 20 March 2026 under a four-phase plan. Phase one requires coverage in federal and provincial capitals; other cities are up to operators.
- SIMs: existing 4G SIMs do not need to be replaced.
Phones: what you need for 5G in Pakistan
You need a 5G-capable phone. According to the ministry, 607,093 5G-capable handsets were assembled locally from January to August 2026, and the cheapest compatible handset currently costs about Rs. 36,000. The ministry gave no timeline for cheaper devices. See our report on mobile phone imports in Pakistan.
What 5G in Pakistan means for users
About seven months after launch, 5G in Pakistan is still limited to selected areas of major cities, so most users will continue to rely on 4G. If you live in Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad and have a 5G phone, check your operator’s coverage map before buying a 5G bundle. For network quality, read the PTA survey of the best mobile network in Pakistan and our review of Zong’s 5G home broadband.
Frequently asked questions
How many 5G sites are there in Pakistan?
1,782 in 24 cities, according to the IT ministry’s figures reported on 23 October 2026.
Which operator has the most 5G sites?
Jazz, with 1,015 sites, followed by Zong (640) and Ufone (127).
Do I need a new SIM for 5G?
No. Existing 4G SIMs work; you need a 5G-capable phone and coverage in your area.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration, for representation only.
