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By Sabeeh Zanair :
Gilgit-Baltistan has moved a step closer to entering the 5G era after the federal government approved policy directives allowing telecom operators to begin 5G test trials in the mountainous region, a development officials describe as a major breakthrough for digital connectivity.
The approval, issued under the legal framework of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, enables the implementation of directives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for conducting next-generation mobile internet trials across the region.
Officials say the decision could lay the foundation for future commercial deployment of 5G services and eventual spectrum auctions, bringing faster internet speeds and improved communication infrastructure to an area that has long struggled with limited connectivity and unreliable telecom services.
The announcement was made through an official statement released by the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, which described the approval as part of broader efforts to modernise the region and integrate it into Pakistan’s expanding digital economy.
Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Information Ghulam Abbas called the development a “historic milestone” and said it marked the beginning of a new technological phase for Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to Abbas, authorities remained in close coordination with federal institutions to ensure the region receives modern telecom facilities comparable to those available in other parts of the country.
The decision is expected to benefit several sectors that rely heavily on internet access and digital infrastructure, particularly education, tourism, e-commerce, information technology and e-governance.
For years, residents in many remote parts of Gilgit-Baltistan have faced slow internet speeds, weak mobile signals and limited access to broadband services due to difficult terrain and infrastructure challenges. Businesses, students and tourism operators have repeatedly raised concerns about poor connectivity affecting economic growth and access to online services.
Technology experts believe the introduction of 5G could significantly improve communication capabilities in the region by enabling faster data speeds, lower network delays and more stable internet coverage.
The government also expects improved digital infrastructure to open new economic opportunities for young people, particularly in freelance work, remote employment, software development and digital entrepreneurship.
Pakistan has been gradually preparing for wider 5G adoption in recent years, with regulators and telecom operators conducting spectrum planning and infrastructure upgrades aimed at introducing next-generation mobile services nationwide.
The approval for Gilgit-Baltistan comes at a time when the federal government is increasingly emphasising digital transformation and technology-driven economic growth.
Authorities say the region’s inclusion in future 5G rollout plans is important not only for local development but also for improving integration between remote northern areas and the rest of the country.
Officials added that work is already underway to create a more favourable environment for telecom operators and technology companies interested in expanding infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Analysts say the success of 5G deployment in mountainous areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan will depend heavily on continued investment in fibre optic networks, reliable power infrastructure and supportive regulatory policies.
Pakistan’s telecom sector has recently highlighted multiple operational challenges affecting network quality across the country, including electricity shortages, fibre cable cuts, difficult geography and delays in infrastructure approvals.
Despite those hurdles, officials believe the expansion of advanced mobile technology into underserved regions could help reduce the country’s digital divide and support long-term economic development.
The Gilgit-Baltistan administration said the latest approval demonstrates its commitment to technological modernisation and improving access to digital services for communities living in remote northern areas.
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