The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on November 20 about the progress in 5G technology development. PTA officials informed the committee that they have engaged a consultant to assist with the 5G spectrum.

This consultancy, formalized through a contract on November 5, aims to recommend auction strategies, spectrum valuation, and regulatory reforms. The consultants are expected to deliver a report by January 2025, with the rollout scheduled for completion by April. However, PTA noted that a Sindh High Court stay order has temporarily delayed the 5G launch.

National Economic Research Associates Inc (NERA) is to provide consultancy for the “Release of IMT Spectrum for Improvement of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in Pakistan.”

On November 8,  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also emphasized efforts to extend fast mobile internet to remote regions, with the launch of 5G services being pivotal to realizing the vision of a Digital Pakistan.