5G Launched in Pakistan: Cities, Networks and Which Phones Work
24 Sep 2026 · 2 min read
5G is now live in Pakistan. After the spectrum auction in March 2026, the mobile networks started switching on 5G in the big cities. Here is what you need to know.
The 5G auction
Pakistan sold 5G spectrum in March 2026 for about $507 million. The networks got:
- Jazz: 190MHz
- Ufone: 180MHz
- Zong: 110MHz
More spectrum usually means faster speeds when many people use the network at the same time.
Which cities have 5G?
- Jazz launched on about 180 sites in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Faisalabad.
- Zong launched 5G in 16+ cities from late March 2026.
- Ufone is rolling out in phases.
5G works mostly in city centres and busy areas for now. Outside these areas, your phone will use 4G automatically.
Will my phone work on 5G?
Your phone needs three things:
1. A 5G chip. Most phones above Rs 60,000 launched in the last two years have one. Many budget phones are still 4G only, such as the Tecno Spark 50.
2. The right bands. Imported phones from the USA or China may not support every band used in Pakistan.
3. PTA approval. A non-PTA phone will not work on any Pakistani network after the free period, 5G or not.
To check, go to Settings, then Mobile network, and look for a 5G option under preferred network type. Read our full guide to 5G phones in Pakistan.
Do you need a new SIM?
Most 4G SIMs work on 5G, but very old SIMs may need replacing. Ask your network's franchise if 5G does not show up.
Should you buy a 5G phone now?
If you live in a big city and keep your phone for 2 to 3 years, yes. When buying used, check that the phone shows 5G in the status bar in an area with coverage. Browse 5G phones for sale on VerifiedPhones.
