5G Auction Report Submitted; Rollout to Begin After Policy Directive

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Amin-ul-Haque, was informed that 606 MHz of spectrum has been made available for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G launch. PTA officials briefed the committee that the 5G auction consultant has completed its report, which has now been submitted to the Auction Advisory Committee. According to officials, once the committee finalizes its recommendations, the matter will be forwarded to the ECC. After the government issues a formal policy directive, PTA will proceed with the launch of 5G services, at least in major cities. Committee members instructed the government to set spectrum auction pricing in Pakistani rupees instead of US dollars, warning that currency fluctuations could create financial pressure for telecom operators. The committee chairman said the industry needs stability to move forward. PTA confirmed that it is fully prepared to begin the 5G rollout once policy approval arrives. Officials from the Law Ministry informed the committee that summaries for appointing the chairman and members of the long-delayed Telecom Tribunal have been forwarded and appointments will take place soon. The committee chairman remarked that he has been waiting for the tribunal’s establishment since 2019 and hoped it would help resolve outstanding disputes more efficiently. PTA reported that one LDI company has cleared its pending dues, while negotiations continue with another. Additional cases are currently in court. Ministry officials added that once the Telecom Tribunal becomes operational, recovery of outstanding LDI payments will become easier and more structured. The committee also received an update on major IT infrastructure projects. Officials from the Ministry of IT said the Islamabad IT Park is now in its final phase and will be completed by 31 December 2025, although work initially began in 2017. However, the committee chairman rejected the briefing on the Karachi IT Park, expressing disappointment over delays and urging the ministry to accelerate the project. He insisted that the contract award must be finalized soon, especially with a delegation from Exim Bank Korea expected in Pakistan on December 2. He also recommended involving the Korean Embassy in the process. Even after awarding the contract, officials noted that construction will take another two years. The committee stressed the importance of starting work without further delay.