The federal government has announced that Pakistan’s long awaited 5G spectrum auction will be completed early next year a move expected to significantly improve internet speed quality and nationwide digital connectivity. Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the auction would mark a turning point for broadband services across the country.
Addressing a joint press conference with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad the IT minister confirmed that the Economic Coordination Committee has approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee. These recommendations will now be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval before the auction process formally begins.
Once cleared the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will issue an information memorandum and initiate consultations with telecom operators and key stakeholders. The minister said the government aims to conclude the auction by the end of January or early February enabling swift rollout of improved services.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan’s internet quality lags behind regional and global standards primarily due to limited spectrum availability. She explained that a population of 240 million is currently operating on just 274 megahertz of spectrum resulting in congestion slow speeds and frequent service disruptions.
She revealed that the upcoming auction would offer around 600 megahertz of spectrum making it the largest spectrum auction in Pakistan’s history. Several new frequency bands will be auctioned for the first time which will improve 3G and 4G performance while enabling full scale 5G deployment.
According to the minister telecom operators will be required to roll out upgraded services within four to six months after the auction with visible improvement for consumers. The initiative aligns with the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 and the government’s Connect 2030 vision under which minimum internet speeds of 100 Mbps will be ensured nationwide over the next five years.
Officials said the auction framework has been designed following recommendations from an international consultant covering six key spectrum bands including 700 1800 2100 2300 2600 and 3500 megahertz with the 2600 band considered most suitable for 5G. The government believes the move will unlock investment strengthen the digital economy and support long term national growth.
