Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the launch of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction by December 2025. The decision comes despite hurdles such as telecom mergers, legal disputes, and economic pressure.

The update was shared with the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan. Officials said the Auction Advisory Committee, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, will meet on Monday to review proposals from an international consultant.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) confirmed 606 MHz of spectrum is available. Out of this, 154 MHz remains under litigation.

DG Licensing Amer Shahzad said the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz mid-bands are key for improving mobile coverage and service quality. Pakistan’s spectrum is still lower than other regional countries, slowing digital growth.

Senator Anusha Rahman suggested adding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure transparency in the auction. The committee was informed that stay orders on spectrum allocation are still pending, with the next hearing on September 17. Lawmakers warned delays could harm Pakistan’s digital economy.

In the meeting, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) briefed senators on rising cyber fraud. Scams have caused losses of over Rs 3 billion. Authorities dismantled 63 illegal call centers, recovered Rs 40 million, and arrested 450 suspects. Lawmakers also raised concerns over digital loan apps, online gambling scams, and misinformation campaigns. NCCIA said it is working with banks to fight skimming devices and