ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s digital transformation gained further momentum during FY2025-26, with smartphone adoption, broadband connectivity, and mobile penetration reaching new highs, according to the latest Economic Survey.

The survey showed that smartphone usage in the country increased by 0.6 percentage points, taking the overall smartphone penetration rate to 71.6 percent, reflecting growing access to digital services and internet-enabled devices across Pakistan.

At the same time, the share of legacy 2G users continued to decline, falling to 28 percent, indicating a steady migration toward faster mobile technologies and improved digital connectivity.

Pakistan’s total mobile and fixed-line subscriber base reached 207.22 million, while the overall mobile connection penetration rate rose to 82.6 percent, up from 81 percent a year earlier. The figures highlight the continued expansion of telecom services and digital inclusion nationwide.

Broadband adoption also recorded significant growth, with the number of broadband subscribers reaching 161 million, further strengthening the foundation of Pakistan’s digital economy.

The survey revealed that local mobile phone manufacturing continued to expand, with 161.6 million mobile devices produced domestically by March 2026, underscoring the country’s growing capacity in electronics manufacturing and import substitution.

Pakistan also maintained its position among the countries offering some of the world’s most affordable internet services. Total internet data consumption is estimated to have surged to 30,783 petabytes, reflecting rising demand for digital content, online services, e-commerce, remote work, and video streaming.

Analysts say the latest figures demonstrate the rapid pace of Pakistan’s digital evolution, driven by affordable connectivity, expanding broadband infrastructure, increasing smartphone ownership, and government-led efforts to accelerate the Digital Pakistan agenda.