The Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that the number of cellular service subscribers across Pakistan has crossed the 150 million mark, DawnNewsTV reported.

PTA Chairman Muhammad Naveed had issued directives for the preparation of the report which highlights the authority's performance over the years.

According to the report, a copy of which is available with DawnNewsTV, the number of mobile service subscribers rose by 10.5 million during the first five months of the current calendar year.

The figure has seen a steady increase in the past 7 years:

  • 2011-2012: The number of cellular subscribers reached 120.2 million.

  • 2012-2013: The Figures further rose to 127.7 million.

  • 2013-2014: Subscribers hit the 140 million mark.

  • 2014-2015: Due to the introduction of biometric verification, the number of subscribers dropped to 114.7 million.

  • 2015-2016: The trend saw an increase with subscribers climbing to 133.2 million.

  • 2016-2017: The number of subscribers continued to increase, reaching 139.8 million.

  • 2017-May 2018: As on May 2018, there were 150.3 million cellular service subscribers in Pakistan.

The number of cellular mobile subscribers over the past 7 years. —Photo courtesy Javed Hussain.
The number of cellular mobile subscribers over the past 7 years. —Photo courtesy Javed Hussain.

The report further reveals that as on May 2018, there were 55.5 million mobile broadband subscribers and 57.74 million broadband subscribers in Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

Rampant lawlessness
Updated 25 Jul, 2026

Rampant lawlessness

THE brutal slaying of a judge and his guard in Mastung is the latest in a series of blood-drenched events that have...
Daily fuel pricing
25 Jul, 2026

Daily fuel pricing

THE government’s move to daily petroleum price adjustments should make fuel pricing more transparent and more...
The drug problem
25 Jul, 2026

The drug problem

WHILE Islamabad Police chase low-level peddlers, the capital’s kingpins have quietly taken their operations ...
A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...