Tech Desk 
Sep 03, 2025
While the introduction of 5G in Pakistan has been reeling under delays, caused by regulatory inefficiencies, the long-awaited spectrum auction is set to conclude by December 2025, as directives have been issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This timeline was revealed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday. The Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC), headed by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, will meet on Monday to review recommendations from a consultant involved in the auction process.
The consultant’s report will be presented at this meeting, paving the way for a formal approval of the auction.
During the meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) updated the committee on preparations for the auction, showcasing key milestones achieved since 2021.
The FAB confirmed that essential frequency bands are in line with global 5G standards, including the clearance of 30 MHz and the identification of additional millimetre-wave bands in the 3 GHz and 24 GHz ranges.
However, committee members expressed concerns about delays due to legal issues affecting certain frequency bands, which are causing economic losses and stalling the growth of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
The special secretary of the IT ministry reassured the committee that the auction will proceed as planned, adhering to the PM’s directives for transparency and efficiency.
