Pakistan sets deadline for 5G auction amid big telecom hurdles

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is finally putting a clock on its long-delayed 5G rollout. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the green light for a spectrum auction to be wrapped up by December 2025, despite the minefield of legal, financial and industry challenges standing in the way.

The announcement came during a Senate Standing Committee briefing on Tuesday, where lawmakers grilled officials over everything from stalled spectrum cases to telecom billing controversies.

The auction advisory committee, headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, will sit down next week to review proposals from international consultants. On the table: 606 MHz of spectrum, though 154 MHz of that is tied up in court.

Spectrum squeeze and cyber woes

Officials pointed out that Pakistan’s spectrum allocation still lags behind its neighbours. Mid-band frequencies like 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz are seen as crucial to boosting 4G and launching 5G at scale. But litigation over prime bands, including 6.6 MHz in the 1800 MHz range, continues to drag through lower courts. Lawmakers warned that every delay risks holding back Pakistan’s digital growth.

Adding to the mix was a sobering briefing from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The agency revealed that citizens have already lost over Rs3 billion to scams ranging from loan apps charging 1,800 percent interest to online gambling platforms. In the past year, authorities shut down 63 illegal call centres and arrested about 450 suspects.

Committee members urged stronger safeguards, particularly with millions of new users set to jump online once 5G arrives. The chairperson asked the agency to present a detailed report in the next session, stressing the urgent need to restore digital trust.

Overbilling charges, Telenor’s uncertain future cloud 5G roadmap

The committee also turned its fire on the telecom industry itself. Audit officials accused Jazz of overcharging customers by Rs6.58 billion through unchecked tariff hikes, while questions swirled over why PTCL has resisted official audits despite Supreme Court orders. According to a report by Business Recorder, lawmakers blasted the company’s board as a “white elephant” and demanded full disclosure of perks and allowances.

Meanwhile, uncertainty around Telenor’s future in Pakistan added more pressure. The company is reportedly considering an exit, while its proposed merger with Ufone still hangs in the balance. Regulators say these decisions must be finalised before the 5G auction moves ahead.

For now, the December 2025 deadline is the government’s marker. But with courtroom battles, corporate exits and cyber threats in the mix, Pakistan’s path to 5G still looks anything but smooth.