Islamabad, December 23, 2025 – The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved recommendations for Pakistan’s largest-ever spectrum auction, offering nearly 600 MHz of additional spectrum to revolutionize mobile broadband and enable the country’s first commercial 5G rollout.
Massive Spectrum Release to Address Congestion and Enable
Currently, Pakistan’s 240 million population relies on just 274 MHz of spectrum, far below regional standards, leading to network congestion and subpar internet speeds. The auction will introduce new bands for the first time, excluding 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz, significantly enhancing 3G/4G quality while paving the way for 5G services. Winning bidders will face rollout obligations, requiring network deployment within four to six months. The government has abolished Right of Way charges to boost fibre infrastructure, as less than 5% of the country is currently fibreised.
Timeline and Stakeholder Consultations Ahead
The recommendations, developed by the Spectrum Advisory Committee after extensive stakeholder consultations and international benchmarks, will now go to the federal cabinet for final approval. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will then issue an Information Memorandum, followed by negotiations with telecom operators. Officials aim to complete the auction by late January or early February 2026, with 5G services potentially launching six months later.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb emphasized a “Pakistan-first” approach, balancing fiscal needs with sector investment capacity. IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted alignment with the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and “Connect 2030” plan, targeting 100 Mbps average speeds in five years. This move supports broader digital transformation, reducing congestion and improving connectivity rankings.