Pakistan formally launched the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction process on Tuesday, marking what officials described as a historic step toward accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
The inaugural ceremony, held at a local hotel in Islamabad, was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman, along with senior officials from the telecom sector.
Addressing the ceremony, PTA chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said the launch of the spectrum auction was the realization of a long-held vision for the country’s digital future.
“Today is the day we had long dreamed of,” he said, adding that the government and regulatory institutions had worked collectively to make the auction possible.
Rehman said the availability of spectrum had been the biggest challenge in preparing for the rollout of next-generation mobile services. He credited the efforts of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the Frequency Allocation Board for ensuring the necessary spectrum resources.
Describing 5G connectivity as a catalyst for economic growth, the PTA chief called the technology a “digital highway” that would power Pakistan’s future.
“This is a historic day for Pakistan. We are beginning a new era,” he said.
Highlighting regulatory reforms introduced to support telecom expansion, Rehman noted that Pakistan had become the first country in Asia to eliminate Right-of-Way (RoW) charges for telecom infrastructure.
According to the PTA chairman, the charges — previously around Rs36,000 per kilometre — have been reduced to zero, a move aimed at encouraging faster network deployment and lowering industry costs.
“The government has done everything possible to facilitate the industry,” he said, adding that the next step now lies with telecom operators.
“The ball is now in the industry’s court. We hope they will participate actively in the auction,” he added.
Officials say the spectrum auction is a key milestone in Pakistan’s roadmap to launch commercial 5G services, which are expected to significantly enhance broadband speeds, enable advanced digital services, and strengthen the country’s emerging digital economy.
