Islamabad (Staff Reporter)
Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the auction of mobile spectrum, a key step to advance the Digital Pakistan program.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Tuesday alongside Federal IT Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja, Minister Aurangzeb highlighted the critical role of mobile spectrum in promoting financial and digital inclusion. He noted that spectrum which remains unauctioned represents a potential financial loss for the country.
The Minister explained that the Spectrum Advisory Committee had engaged the services of a consultant, National Economic Research Associates (NERA), which coordinated extensively with partners under the supervision of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant institutions. NERA conducted a detailed review of past national, regional, and international mobile spectrum auctions and considered all global standards. Based on this analysis, NERA provided recommendations regarding spectrum pricing, payment terms, and auction design.
“After careful review of these recommendations from Pakistan’s perspective, the ECC approved them today,” Minister Aurangzeb said, emphasizing that this auction is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate digital transformation and economic growth in the country.