Internet Penetration Figures Spark Debate at NA IT Committee Meeting
ISLAMABAD: A claim made by Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom has sparked debate after she stated that 97% of Pakistanis use broadband internet.
The claim has been challenged by digital analysts, who point to the Kepios Digital 2026 report showing Pakistan’s internet penetration at 45.6%, leaving an estimated 139 million people without internet access. They also cited Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) data, which puts the country’s overall teledensity at 82.85% as of May 2026.
Digital Report Contradicts Government’s Broadband Usage Claim
Experts argue that teledensity reflects the number of active telecom connections rather than unique internet users, as many people own multiple SIM cards while millions still use 2G feature phones without internet access. They say the discrepancy highlights the need for accurate data to guide policymaking and address Pakistan’s digital connectivity challenges.
