Pakistan is set to take a major step toward high-speed digital connectivity as the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction will be held tomorrow at 10am in the federal capital.
Officials say the initiative aims to strengthen the country’s digital economy, improve internet quality and provide advanced technology services to the public.
After years of anticipation, Pakistan is moving closer to launching 5G technology, with the auction stage now officially underway.
The government has emphasized that the primary objective of the auction is not merely revenue generation, but enabling the country to benefit from modern digital infrastructure.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government wants to focus on building digital highways, digital corridors and stronger connectivity across Pakistan.
According to Tarar, improved digital infrastructure will help freelancers, startups, students and young professionals perform better and compete in the global digital economy.
Govt prioritising digital economy over revenue
Tarar stressed that the government’s priority is to strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem rather than treating the auction as a revenue-generating exercise.
He noted that expanding connectivity and bandwidth will allow the country to create a stronger digital network and support the growing freelance and startup communities.
The information minister also highlighted that internet access in Pakistan is already among the cheapest in the world, and the government wants to further enhance connectivity through 5G technology.
5G spectrum a ‘hen that lays golden eggs’
Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima used a unique analogy to explain the government’s approach toward the 5G spectrum. She described the spectrum as “a hen that lays golden eggs,” saying the government wants long-term benefits rather than short-term financial gains.
According to her, international consultants benchmarked the spectrum pricing based on global best practices.
“If we slaughter the hen and eat it, we will not get golden eggs,” she said, explaining that the government aims to preserve the sector for continuous economic benefits.
She added that Pakistan’s 5G spectrum is not extremely cheap compared with global markets, but the aim is to ensure long-term efficiency and sustainable growth.
PTA optimistic about successful auction
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman expressed optimism that the auction will be successful.
He said the expectation is that more than 300 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned, which would help improve both 4G quality and the rollout of 5G services.
According to him, if at least 300 MHz is utilized, around 50% of the spectrum will likely be sold, making the auction a success. He added that the government expects the rollout of 5G services within four to six months after the auction.
Measures to ensure transparency
The PTA chairman said the 5G spectrum auction will be completely transparent, adding that no telecom operator has raised concerns about the process. He explained that telecom companies have hired independent consultants and also participated in trial auctions to test the software system.
All companies tested the system and no operator expressed reservations, he said. The software to be used for the spectrum auction is fully secure, and a backup system is also in place to handle any unexpected situation.
To improve connectivity, telecom operators will be required to install at least 200 towers every year in gap areas. PTA officials said this step is aimed at improving service quality, particularly in rural and underserved areas where tower coverage is currently limited.
Hafeez-ur-Rehman acknowledged that service quality remains a challenge in villages due to fewer telecom towers, but new mechanisms have been developed to address this issue.
5G will not increase mobile package prices
The PTA chairman reassured consumers that the introduction of 5G will not lead to expensive mobile packages. He said the PTA will ensure that mobile data package prices remain affordable, even after the launch of 5G services.
Efforts are also underway to provide quality and affordable 5G services to consumers across Pakistan.
Officials also highlighted progress in the mobile device market. According to PTA, five companies have started manufacturing 5G mobile handsets, and such phones are already available in the market.
Hafeez-ur-Rehman said 5G-compatible smartphones are available for around Rs40,000 to Rs45,000, making the technology more accessible to consumers.
Digital tools introduced
To improve customer support, the PTA has introduced a digital assistant system. The system allows users to register complaints and receive support easily regarding telecom services.
The authority said this initiative aims to improve service quality and provide better assistance to telecom users.
Shaza Fatima also addressed concerns regarding heavy taxes on imported mobile phones. She said the issue will again be raised with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), as taxes on luxury smartphones remain high.
According to her, only 2–3% of Pakistan’s population uses expensive luxury phones, while more than 95% of mobile phones used in the country are locally manufactured. She clarified that no additional tax is imposed on locally manufactured phones, while taxes apply mainly to imported luxury devices worth Rs700,000 to Rs800,000.
Fatima also emphasized that taxes on luxury phones do not hinder the spread of 5G technology in Pakistan.
Officials say the upcoming spectrum auction marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey. The government hopes that 5G technology will boost innovation, support freelancers and startups, and strengthen the country’s digital economy in the coming years.
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