Separate 5G Spectrum Auction Planned for GB and AJK After Nationwide Rollout: PTA Chairman
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Hafeez Ur Rehman, has announced that the federal government plans to conduct a separate 5G spectrum auction for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) within months of launching 5G services across the rest of the country.
The PTA chief shared the update during a meeting with Ghulam Abbas, the caretaker Minister for Information Technology of Gilgit-Baltistan, held in Islamabad on Thursday. Discussions focused on the proposed spectrum auction and broader challenges related to digital connectivity in the mountainous region.
GB Must Keep Pace With Digital Development
During the meeting, Abbas emphasized that Gilgit-Baltistan should not fall behind other parts of Pakistan in accessing high-speed internet services. He highlighted that improved digital connectivity is critical for e-governance, online education, telemedicine, IT-enabled businesses, and tourism.
He noted that limited bandwidth and gaps in telecom infrastructure have restricted socio-economic growth in the region, disproportionately impacting youth, students, entrepreneurs, and the tourism industry.
PTA Begins Groundwork for Regional Auction
Chairman Rehman said that preparations for auctioning additional spectrum in GB and AJK are already underway. PTA has formally approached the GB Council, AJK Council, and the Ministry of IT and Telecom to begin laying the regulatory groundwork required for the process.
He explained that due to the need for technical testing, regulatory reviews, and customized spectrum arrangements, the two regions would require a dedicated auction rather than inclusion in the nationwide 5G rollout.
“Our preference as a regulator is that spectrum should be provided free of cost in GB and AJK so telecom operators can direct their capital expenditure toward strengthening technical infrastructure,” Rehman said.
Call to Abolish Right-of-Way Charges
During the discussion, Amir Shahzad, Director General (Licensing) at PTA, recommended that the GB government follow AJK’s recent policy reforms by abolishing Right-of-Way (RoW) charges for telecom infrastructure.
The federal government has already instructed its ministries and departments to allow free access for IT and telecom fiber networks to support faster infrastructure development.
AJK’s Model Gains Attention
The AJK government recently eliminated RoW charges across multiple departments and introduced a one-window facility for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for telecom towers and fiber deployment. Under the system, applications are processed by the relevant deputy commissioner’s office within 15 days, with automatic approval granted if no objections are raised.
Officials believe these measures have reduced delays and financial barriers, paving the way for quicker expansion of broadband infrastructure in AJK. Similar reforms in GB could significantly improve digital access and support long-term economic growth in the region.
