The long-awaited spectrum auction, a major step for Pakistan’s telecom and digital growth, is expected to be completed by December 2025, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, officials outlined the timeline for the auction. The Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC), headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, will meet on Monday to review recommendations from a consultant engaged in the process. The consultant’s report will guide the formal approval of the auction, with officials committed to completing it before the end of the year.
The committee, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, discussed key developments in Pakistan’s telecom sector. The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) briefed members on preparations for the auction, noting that critical frequency bands have been aligned with global 5G standards. This includes the clearance of 30 MHz and the identification of millimeter-wave bands in the 3 GHz and 24 GHz ranges, paving the way for next-generation connectivity.
Committee members raised concerns over delays caused by litigation and stay orders on some frequency bands, which they said are affecting economic growth and slowing digital expansion in the country.
The Special Secretary of the Ministry of IT reassured the committee that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the auction proceeds as planned. The process is being carried out in line with the Prime Minister’s directives, focusing on transparency and efficiency, with the goal of completing it by December 2025.
