Information and Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction is expected to be completed early next year, a move she said would significantly improve internet services across the country.
Read More: Pakistan moves ahead with 5G auction despite legal hurdles
She made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who confirmed that the Economic Coordination Committee had approved recommendations from the Spectrum Advisory Committee.
Khawaja said the recommendations would now be presented to the federal cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will issue an information memorandum to begin consultations with stakeholders and telecom operators.
On the very day that the bidding process for PIA is televised live, iA timeline for spectrum auction for 5G also announced.
Alhamdolillah, months of painstaking policy deliberations & negotiations led by PM @CMShehbaz delivering outcomes.
May Allah bless Pakistanis w ever… pic.twitter.com/g0bo31mogF
— Mosharraf Zaidi 🇵🇰 (@mosharrafzaidi) December 23, 2025
“We are trying to ensure that the auction is completed by the end of January or early February,” the IT minister said, adding that the process was being fast-tracked to meet growing digital needs.
She acknowledged that Pakistan’s internet quality currently lags behind international standards and even regional benchmarks. According to her, the core reason for this shortfall is the limited availability of spectrum.
Pakistan’s population of around 240 million is currently operating on just 274 megahertz of spectrum, Khawaja said, comparing it to “two lanes of traffic where eight are required,” leading to congestion and poor service quality.
She noted that previous auctions resulted in telecom operators acquiring around 60 megahertz of spectrum. This time, the government plans to auction nearly 600 megahertz, making it the largest spectrum auction in the country’s history.
The minister added that several additional frequency bands would be offered for the first time in Pakistan. This, she said, would not only enhance 3G and 4G services but also enable the rollout of 5G technology.
Read More: Pakistan to launch 5G spectrum auction by Feb 2026
Khawaja said the expansion would support faster speeds, lower latency and improved connectivity, which are critical for economic growth, digital services and emerging technologies.