ADB Urges Digital Reforms to Unlock Pakistan’s Tech Potential

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned that without urgent reforms Pakistan could fall further behind in broadband and digital access, despite mobile broadband coverage reaching over 80 percent only 54 percent of people use it. The bank blames high taxes unaffordable smartphones and poor digital literacy especially for women and rural communities.

Kazim Mujtaba President of Jazz’s Consumer Division said millions remain offline due to cost issues and lack of inclusion he noted that despite being covered by broadband many still can’t connect due to systemic problems, he emphasized that connectivity must become more affordable for real change.

The report says @Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and policy makers need to act by reducing the GST on telecom services to 5 percent, removing spectrum pricing from the dollar and encouraging public private partnerships to expand access especially in underserved areas it also urges better access to internet in schools and hospitals.

While 5G is a goal for the future, Kazim Mujtaba and others argue that the country should first fix problems with 4G such as affordability, gender gaps and basic literacy. Without solving these foundational issues, the talk of 5G remains premature and disconnected from the reality faced by millions.