The federal government on Tuesday announced the approval of a long-awaited spectrum auction, a move aimed at improving internet speeds and paving the way for the launch of 5G services in Pakistan.Speaking at a joint news conference in Islamabad, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the Economic Coordination Committee had given its approval for the auction as part of efforts to accelerate the Digital Pakistan programme. 

The finance minister said the decision would help align Pakistan’s internet infrastructure with international standards. Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima said Pakistan’s slow internet speeds were primarily due to the shortage of available spectrum. IT Minister Shaza said the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee would soon be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval. 

The IT minister added that consultations would be held with telecom operators and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and inclusive process. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government was committed to addressing structural issues in the telecom sector. She said the Internet is the foundation of the entire digital system. She confirmed that the introduction of 5G services was expected in the near future, describing the spectrum auction as a critical step toward modernising Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and improving connectivity for consumers and businesses alike.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)