ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s government has revamped the composition of a high-level advisory committee overseeing the spectrum auction to expedite telecom network expansion and the rollout of 5G technology. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that efficient use of available International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum is crucial to improving mobile broadband quality and tele-density.
Currently, Pakistan’s commercial use of IMT spectrum bands—including 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz—lags behind global standards. Previous spectrum auctions were conducted in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2021, covering paired bands such as 1800/2100 MHz and 850 MHz.
The MoITT proposed revising the advisory committee’s membership to include the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and the Minister of State, alongside federal ministers for IT & Telecom, Industries & Production, and Law & Justice. The ECC approved this composition update to prevent future issues and ensure coordinated oversight.
The advisory committee currently includes key federal ministers, secretaries, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman, Frequency Allocation Board director, and technical members such as the ISI’s Director General (Tech).
Amid these developments, the GSMA warned at the Digital Nation Summit 2025 that Pakistan risks falling behind regional peers without urgent telecom reforms. GSMA’s Head of Asia-Pacific, Julian Gorman, highlighted obstacles such as high telecom taxes, limited spectrum, and policy inconsistencies. He urged spectrum availability improvements and tax reforms, citing Argentina as an example. Gorman stressed that delays threaten investor confidence and digital livelihoods, noting Pakistan is at a critical juncture as AI and other technologies evolve rapidly worldwide.
