A new report from the Higher Education Commission shows that internet use outside major cities is rising fastest, raising fresh questions about how quickly the sector can scale.
Analysts at Systems Limited estimate that the addressable market could be worth $50 million by 2028, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
The challenge now is execution. Previous attempts to build large-scale technology infrastructure in the country have stalled because of financing gaps and bureaucratic delays.
The view from investors
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the Ministry of IT and Telecom said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
"This is not just a Karachi story or a Lahore story. It is a Pakistan story."
Omar Farooq, security researcher at Airlift
The service will initially be available in Lahore, Sialkot and Islamabad, with a nationwide launch planned for later in 2030.
Winners and losers
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $120 million in Q4 2026, the strongest quarter since 2021.
Key points
- Rollout begins in Quetta and Rawalpindi before expanding nationwide
- New features will support Urdu alongside English
- Funding round values the company at about $18 million
- Pricing to remain unchanged until at least November
Not everyone is convinced. Critics point to a shortage of skilled engineers, unreliable power supply and a tax regime that changes almost every budget cycle as reasons for caution.
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's edtech sector grew 42% last year, according to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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