ISLAMABAD (HRNW): Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has announced that Pakistan is entering a new and expansive era of technology through the successful auction of 5G spectrum. Speaking at the conclusion of the auction process organized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday, March 12, 2026, she highlighted that this milestone has opened the doors for foreign investment and is a testament to the country’s stabilizing economy.
The second phase of the 5G spectrum auction, which focused on band positioning, was successfully completed today in Islamabad. Combined with the initial bidding rounds held on March 10, the auction has generated a total of $510 million (approximately Rs 142.6 billion) for the national exchequer. Minister Shaza Fatima noted that this is a historic achievement for Pakistan’s digital transformation, effectively doubling the country’s available spectrum capacity.
Key highlights from the announcement include:
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Infrastructure Leap: Pakistan’s total spectrum availability has increased from 274 MHz to 754 MHz, positioning the country in the middle tier globally for spectrum availability.
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Pilot Launch: 5G pilot projects are scheduled to begin in major cities as early as next week.
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Full Rollout: Full 5G services are expected to be available in Islamabad and all provincial capitals within the next six to eight months.
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4G Improvements: Consumers can expect a significant improvement in existing 4G service quality within the next four to five months as operators utilize the newly acquired spectrum.
The Minister emphasized that modernizing technology is now an urgent necessity for sectors such as agriculture, industry, healthcare, and education. She stated that the “digital highway” created today will serve as the engine for Pakistan’s future economic growth and innovation.
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