A meeting of National Connectivity Plan focused on expanding high-speed internet access to villages, remote areas, and small towns.

During a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema on July 31, the government emphasised that its top priority is to support freelancers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and other digital professionals in remote regions who continue to face challenges due to slow and unreliable internet connectivity.

The meeting, attended by Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior officials, focused on expanding fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and 5G infrastructure. Officials set targets to extend FTTH coverage to 10 million homes, increase average broadband download speeds to 85 Mbps, positioning Pakistan among the world’s top 50 countries for broadband performance, and raising tower fibreisation to 60%.

The meeting also considered reforms including targeted tax relief for internet users in remote areas, abolishing right-of-way fees, launching a single-window approval portal, introducing district-level licensing, and ensuring fixed broadband connectivity for public institutions such as schools and healthcare facilities.