Islamabad: The government on Tuesday announced key steps toward the launch of 5G services in Pakistan, revealing plans to auction 600 megahertz of spectrum as part of its broader digital and telecom roadmap.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, who outlined recent policy developments and timelines.
Ms Fatima said preparations for the spectrum auction are underway and that 5G services are expected to be introduced within the next four to six months. She described high-speed internet as the backbone of the country’s digital ecosystem and stressed the government’s commitment to improving both internet speed and nationwide access.
She added that efforts are being made to complete the spectrum auction by the last week of January or the first week of February 2026. According to the IT minister, the recommendations approved by the Spectrum Advisory Committee will soon be submitted to the federal cabinet for final consideration.
Ms Fatima further said that consultations with telecom operators and other key stakeholders would be carried out to ensure transparency and sector-wide input throughout the process.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee. He said the government is moving ahead with its Digital Pakistan agenda, with a focus on strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting economic growth through technology-led reforms.
