Islamabad:
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima said on Monday that Pakistan is preparing to hold its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction during the holy month of Ramadan, as the government accelerates efforts to upgrade the country’s digital infrastructure.
Speaking to the media at Parliament House, the minister said the government was aiming to complete the auction by the end of February, subject to the conclusion of consultations with stakeholders. She added that following the auction, improvements in existing 3G and 4G services were expected within three to four months.
“Our target is to launch 5G services in major cities within six months,” Shaza Fatima said, describing the rollout as a critical step towards supporting Pakistan’s growing demand for high-speed connectivity and digital services.
The minister said all telecom operators had welcomed the release of the Information Memorandum for the 5G auction, calling it a positive signal for the sector. She noted that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was currently engaging stakeholders on key aspects of the memorandum, including quality-of-service standards and rollout obligations.
According to Shaza Fatima, telecom companies are finalising their internal preparations for participating in the auction. She said operators had been given a three-week window to submit feedback and complete consultations.
“The Information Memorandum will be finalised in the first week of February after stakeholder input,” she said, adding that the country would then be fully prepared to proceed with the 5G spectrum auction.
The planned auction is seen as a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital development, with the government expecting next-generation mobile technology to boost connectivity, support innovation, and strengthen the digital economy.
