Islamabad, 27-Jan-2026 (PPI): Despite a dramatic surge in household internet connectivity across Pakistan over the last five years, the ownership of essential computing devices like computers and laptops has remained completely static, creating a significant digital disparity, according to the latest Pakistan Social and Living Standard – Household Integrated Economic Survey (PSLM-HEIS) for 2024-2025.

The report, published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), indicates that a mere 14 percent of households in the country possessed a computer, laptop, or tablet in 2024-25. This figure shows no improvement from the proportion recorded in the 2018–19 survey.

In stark contrast, individual ownership of mobile or smart phones has climbed from 45 percent to 50 percent during the same five-year period. More impressively, household access to the internet has more than doubled, rocketing from 34 percent to 70 percent.

This expansion in domestic internet availability is consistent with wider growth in the telecommunications sector. The report notes that, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the nation had amassed over 200 million telecom subscribers by 2025, which included more than 150 million broadband users and over two million fibre-to-the-home connections.

The survey also provides a detailed provincial breakdown of access to information and communication technologies, revealing significant regional variations.

Regarding computer, laptop, or tablet availability, Punjab and Sindh led with 15 percent household coverage each. They were followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 13 percent, while Balochistan registered the lowest accessibility at just six percent.

For individual mobile phone possession, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported the highest rate at 51 percent. Punjab and Sindh followed closely at 50 percent each, with Balochistan recording 42 percent ownership.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also topped the rankings for household internet availability, with 77 percent of homes connected. Punjab and Balochistan were level at 69 percent, while Sindh's connectivity stood at 67 percent.

All statistics cited in the report are derived from the official PSLM–HEIS dashboard maintained by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.