ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s long-delayed 5G spectrum auction will finally be completed by December 2025, as per directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move is being described as a major step toward boosting the country’s telecom and digital infrastructure.
The timeline was shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday.
The Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC), headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, is set to meet on Monday to review recommendations from an international consultant. The consultant’s report will outline the framework for the auction and is expected to receive formal approval soon after. Officials confirmed that the process will be wrapped up before the year’s end.
Chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, the Senate IT committee discussed preparations by the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB). The FAB noted that 30 MHz of spectrum has already been cleared, while additional millimeter-wave bands in the 3 GHz and 24 GHz ranges have been identified in line with global 5G standards.
Despite these steps, members expressed concern over delays caused by litigation and stay orders on certain frequencies, which they warned were costing the economy valuable opportunities.
The Ministry of IT assured lawmakers that the auction will proceed as scheduled. Officials said the process is being conducted transparently and in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directives to fast-track Pakistan’s digital growth.