Pakistan’s telecom sector is facing mounting challenges, from stalled 5G rollout plans to unresolved financial disputes and potential market exits, according to a heated review by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications on Tuesday.
The session, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, exposed deep concerns over the country’s preparedness for next-generation connectivity, as officials admitted Pakistan is falling dangerously behind global peers.
5G Spectrum Auction Hits Legal Roadblocks
Ministry of IT officials revealed Pakistan has just 600 MHz of spectrum available—half of what markets like Saudi Arabia offer. They warned that while the global telecom industry is already gearing up for 6G, Pakistan’s inability to expand spectrum allocation threatens to leave the country decades behind in connectivity infrastructure.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed that a consultant brought in six months ago recommended resolving ongoing Sun TV spectrum disputes before proceeding with the long-awaited 5G auction.
Senator Humayun Mohmand urged the government to push the judiciary for quicker case resolutions, citing the economic cost of the delays.
Demand for Greater Transparency in Spectrum Sales
Senator Anusha Rahman pressed for stronger oversight of the auction process, recommending the inclusion of NAB and AGPR representatives in the Auction Advisory Committee to prevent corruption scandals down the line. PTA officials said NAB’s participation has already been proposed but remains under review.
Telenor’s Potential Exit Sparks Quality Concerns
The committee also addressed the uncertainty around Telenor Pakistan, which has reportedly been weighing an exit from the market. Lawmakers warned that the company’s departure could weaken competition and service quality for millions of subscribers.
Rahman placed blame on PTA’s regulatory approach, urging the government to negotiate directly with Telenor to keep the Norwegian telecom giant invested in Pakistan.
PTCL Faces Heat Over $800M Dues and Audit Disputes
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) was criticized for failing to settle $800 million owed to the government and for resisting audits by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), despite Supreme Court rulings.
Audit officials reiterated that PTCL’s majority government ownership makes it legally subject to AGP scrutiny, while IT ministry representatives accused PTCL’s current management of dragging its feet on resolving the matter.
