Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday termed the upcoming spectrum auction a landmark move that will accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation and pave the way for next-generation connectivity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G, she said Pakistan had experienced several technological transitions in the past, but the current wave of digital advancement marked a particularly crucial phase for the country.
The ceremony was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Hafeez Ur Rehman, along with several parliamentarians and senior officials.
Khawaja recalled that Pakistan entered the 3G and 4G era between 2014 and 2016 during the government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Since then, no major spectrum auction has taken place, which she said had placed pressure on network capacity and affected internet quality and user experience.
She explained that the upcoming auction would not only introduce next-generation 5G services but would also enhance the capacity and efficiency of existing 4G networks across the country.
The minister emphasized that fast, reliable and affordable internet had become an essential requirement for citizens. She added that digital connectivity now played a vital role in multiple sectors, including the economy, agriculture, industry and national security.
Khawaja further noted that the government had abolished right-of-way charges for telecom infrastructure in order to accelerate the expansion of fiber-optic networks nationwide.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has successfully inaugurated the Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) / 5G in Pakistan, marking a transformative milestone in the nation’s digital journey. The prestigious inaugural ceremony was graced by… pic.twitter.com/7bLOjsM91b
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) March 10, 2026
She also announced that a national fiberization plan would soon be launched, enabling telecom operators to expand their infrastructure after acquiring the new spectrum.
According to the minister, Pakistan’s spectrum auction framework had received positive feedback from international telecom stakeholders. She said encouraging responses were received during discussions at the Mobile World Congress, where several countries appreciated the arrangements.
Khawaja added that consumers could begin witnessing improvements in 4G services within four to five months after the auction, while 5G services are expected to be rolled out initially in Islamabad and provincial capitals within five to six months.
She also acknowledged the contributions of former IT minister Aminul Haq, government institutions and the armed forces for facilitating the availability of spectrum for commercial use in the national interest.
The minister concluded that progress in the telecom sector was aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” vision, which aims to promote digitization, equip youth with technology skills, increase IT exports and advance a cashless digital economy.
