Gilgit: The federal government has approved policy directives allowing telecom operators to begin 5G test trials in Gilgit-Baltistan, marking a key step towards the rollout of next-generation mobile internet services in the region.
According to an official statement issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, the policy directives prepared by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were approved under the legal framework of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, enabling telecom companies to move forward with trial activities.
Officials said the approval is expected to pave the way for the auction of 5G spectrum in the coming months and the eventual launch of commercial 5G services in the mountainous region.
Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Information Ghulam Abbas described the development as a major milestone, saying it followed sustained coordination with federal institutions to bring advanced telecommunications infrastructure to the region.
Authorities said the introduction of 5G technology is expected to support digital development across sectors such as education, tourism, e-commerce, information technology, and e-governance, while improving connectivity and creating new opportunities for youth and businesses.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Council said efforts are also underway to provide a supportive environment for telecom operators and expand modern IT infrastructure to facilitate future digital growth in the region.
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