5G Spectrum Auction Date Announced in Pakistan

The long-awaited spectrum auction, a pivotal move for the advancement of Pakistan’s telecom and digital sectors, is scheduled for completion by December 2025, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

This timeline was revealed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication held on Tuesday at Parliament House. The committee, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, convened to address key issues affecting the telecom and digital landscape.

The Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC), led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, is set to meet on Monday to review the findings and recommendations of a consultant engaged for the auction process. The consultant’s report will be presented during this meeting, which is expected to pave the way for the formal approval of the auction.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing the spectrum auction before the end of the calendar year, as per the revised timeline.

During the briefing, the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) outlined its preparations for the auction, noting significant progress since 2021. FAB reported that critical frequency bands have been aligned with international 5G standards. This includes the clearance of 30 MHz and the identification of millimeter-wave bands in the 3 GHz and 24 GHz ranges — essential steps for enabling next-generation connectivity in Pakistan.

However, committee members expressed concern over ongoing delays caused by litigation and stay orders affecting certain frequency bands. They highlighted the resulting economic losses and the negative impact on Pakistan’s broader digital ecosystem.

In response, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of IT assured the committee that all necessary measures are being implemented to meet the December 2025 deadline. He emphasized that the process is proceeding in accordance with the Prime Minister’s instructions to ensure transparency and efficiency.

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