Pakistan faces risks with 5G services: PTA chairman

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has voiced grave worries about the 5G auction’s progress, pointing to ongoing court cases involving the 140 MHz spectrum as a significant obstacle.

These concerns were expressed by the PTA chairman during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT, which was presided over by Barrister Gohar.

The PTA chairman warned lawmakers that holding a 5G auction when legal issues are still pending could have negative effects.

“The 5G auction will be risky until the courts clear the 140 MHz spectrum,” he said. Additionally, he emphasized the hesitancy of telecom companies themselves, noting that regulatory ambiguity may discourage involvement and impede investment in Pakistan’s digital future.

But not everyone in the meeting supported the PTA’s position. The Ministry of IT’s Member Legal contended that as there isn’t a stay order on the spectrum in question, the auction can lawfully go on. In support of this position, Barrister Gohar said, “The cases will continue, but there is no legal restriction on auctioning it once the 5G frequency is already under PTA’s ownership.”

The meeting emphasized the gap between political urgency and regulatory prudence. Barrister Gohar underlined how urgently 5G technology is needed, particularly in developing nations. “Tribal areas require 5G frequencies, but instead you are getting caught up in legal issues.” “The auction must continue,” he said.

It was disclosed during the discussion that a number of telecom companies have also indicated reluctance to bid in the 5G auction as long as the legal proceedings are still ongoing. The PTA president reaffirmed that the potential for businesses to seek injunctions may halt the entire process, even in the absence of a formal stay order.

Sharmila Faruqui, a committee member, questioned whether the PTA’s hesitancy was due to real legal obstacles or merely apprehension about potential complications. “Are there any good reasons why the 5G auction can’t happen, or is it just your fear?” she inquired.

The subcommittee resolved to call telecom providers to the next meeting to hear their position on the pending legal proceedings in response to the persistent concerns. The committee also agreed to review all court decisions related to the spectrum before making a final call on the auction timeline.

The PTA chairman added that he had personally requested the prime minister to ensure that court cases related to 5G are resolved quickly.