Tech Desk 
Sep 02, 2025
In an unfortunate series of events unfolding in Pakistan's ongoing broadband upgrade saga, it seems that the long-dragged 5G spectrum auction will remain in limbo despite months-long delays as regulators are seeking a resolution to various disputes in the telecom sector.
In a recent parliamentary standing committee meeting, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed that the 5G spectrum auction cannot proceed until decisions are taken on the impending mergers and unresolved corporate issues.
“For the 5G auction to proceed, a decision on telecom companies’ mergers is essential,” a PTA member said, adding that all operators have issues they repeatedly raised with the auction advisory committee.
With the commercial 5G rollout depending on a clear regulatory roadmap, experts warn that the auction’s delay could leave Pakistan behind regional peers, as the auction has been pending for months.
It was also outlined that the PTA hired a consultant six months ago to analyse the market, who also recommended the allocation of 600 megahertz of bandwidth, according to Geo News.
With these regulatory challenges intact, lawmakers on National Assembly and Senate panels continue to press regulators over governance concerns that have complicated preparations.
The IT standing committee summoned officials from the Competition Commission for a briefing, while senators urged that the inclusion of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the spectrum committee is imperative to ensure transparency.
Audit disputes have also contributed to the delay in Pakistan's 5G launch. Lawmakers during the session questioned why Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has not been audited by the Auditor General despite Supreme Court orders, with one senator saying PTCL owes about $800 million to the government.
PTA officials said firms have passed on problems to advisory bodies, prolonging the process.
