The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Amin-ul-Haque, was informed that 606 MHz of spectrum has been allocated for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G services.
Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the committee that the 5G Auction consultant has completed its report. This report has now been submitted to the Auction Advisory Committee for review.
Once the advisory committee finalizes its recommendations, the matter will be forwarded to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). After the government issues a formal policy directive, PTA will begin rolling out 5G services, initially in major cities.
The committee instructed that the spectrum auction pricing should be set in Pakistani rupees instead of US dollars. Members warned that currency fluctuations could put financial pressure on telecom operators. The chairman emphasized the need for stability in the sector. PTA confirmed it is fully prepared to start the 5G Auction rollout once the policy is approved.
Telecom Tribunal and LDI Dues
The Law Ministry informed the committee that summaries for appointing the chairman and members of the long-delayed Telecom Tribunal have been forwarded. The tribunal’s establishment is expected soon. The chairman noted he has been awaiting the tribunal since 2019. He said it will help resolve pending disputes efficiently.
PTA reported that one LDI company has cleared its pending dues, while negotiations with another continue. Additional cases are currently in court. Officials said the tribunal will make recovery of outstanding LDI payments easier and more structured once operational.
IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi
The committee also received updates on major IT infrastructure projects. The Islamabad IT Park is in its final phase and is expected to be completed by 31 December 2025. Construction began in 2017.
However, the chairman expressed disappointment over delays in the Karachi IT Park. He urged the ministry to finalize the contract and start construction immediately, especially with a Korean delegation visiting Pakistan on December 2. Officials noted construction will take two years even after awarding the contract.
In other related news also read Pakistan Delays 5G Rollout After Missing Yet Another Deadline
The 5G Auction and ongoing IT projects are expected to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and improve services for consumers across the country.
