Minister calls 5G spectrum auction a milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday described the NGMS/5G Spectrum Auction conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as a historic milestone that will accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation and strengthen its digital economy.

Addressing participants at the auction ceremony, Aurangzeb said it was gratifying to witness the culmination of extensive efforts over the past year and a half to finalize the auction framework. He noted that the Spectrum Committee, which he chaired, undertook detailed deliberations to create a balanced framework designed to optimize revenue while fostering an enabling ecosystem to advance Pakistan’s digital journey.

The Finance Minister acknowledged that the process had been initiated earlier under the leadership of the Minister for Information Technology during her 2021 tenure. He praised the continuity of policy across successive administrations, emphasizing that sustained direction is key to long-term progress. He described the auction as a significant milestone for all stakeholders involved.

Aurangzeb stressed that digital development is a means to broader economic and social progress. He said enhanced digital connectivity would provide faster, more affordable services and unlock opportunities across multiple sectors of the economy.

Highlighting the IT and IT-enabled services sector, he added that improved digital infrastructure would strengthen one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing industries, boosting exports and creating jobs. He underlined that the government’s role is to provide an enabling environment that allows the private sector to drive economic growth.

He also referenced ongoing initiatives supporting the digital agenda, including support for freelancers, the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, expansion of digital infrastructure, development of payment systems, and digitization of government payments. Greater spectrum availability and the rollout of 5G, he noted, would enable emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Web 3.0, facilitating Pakistan’s transition toward a modern digital economy.

Aurangzeb emphasized that robust connectivity is especially critical during crises. Citing the Prime Minister’s announcement the previous day, he said enhanced digital capacity would support seamless transitions to online education, remote work, and other digital services when needed.

Concluding his remarks, the Finance Minister thanked members of the Spectrum Committee and all stakeholders for their contributions and expressed confidence that the auction would pave the way for improved connectivity, innovation, and economic opportunities across Pakistan.