PTA District-Level Internet Licensees (2026): Complete City-wise List of Newly Approved ISPs

Pakistan’s broadband market is set for fresh competition after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority issued 47 district-level class licenses for internet services during 2026.

According to PTA documents, the licensing process began in February 2026, when the first district-level internet license was granted for Attock. The pace accelerated in the following months, with licenses issued across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, South Waziristan, and Lower Chitral.

The document shows that PTA issued 12 licenses in March, followed by 14 in May and a record 20 licenses in June 2026, reflecting growing demand for local broadband operations at the district level. The licenses are valid for 10 years, with most licenses expiring between 2036 and the relevant grant date.

Lahore received the highest number of district-level internet licenses, with seven newly approved ISPs, followed by Sargodha with five licenses. Islamabad and Faisalabad received four licenses each, while Sheikhupura, Attock, and Bahawalnagar also emerged as active districts for new ISP licensing.

The approval of licenses for areas such as South Waziristan and Lower Chitral is particularly significant, as it points to efforts aimed at improving connectivity in remote and underserved regions. Industry observers say such licensing can help promote last-mile internet access, encourage local investment, create employment opportunities, and support Pakistan’s broader digital economy.

The move is also expected to increase competition among internet service providers at the district level, which could improve service quality, pricing, and availability for end users.

The PTA document lists the name of each approved entity, license number, grant date, expiry date, jurisdiction, service type, contact person, address, phone number, and email address. The full city-wise list of newly approved ISPs is reproduced below.

Full City-wise List of PTA District-Level Internet Licensees 2026

The issuance of 47 district-level internet licenses shows that Pakistan’s broadband market is moving toward a more localized and competitive model. Instead of relying only on large national operators, district-based ISPs can play an important role in expanding last-mile connectivity, particularly in smaller cities, rural areas, and underserved regions.