The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is unsure about moving forward with the 5G auction due to ongoing court cases involving the 140 MHz spectrum.
During a National Assembly sub-committee meeting led by Barrister Gohar, the PTA chairman warned that launching 5G while legal issues remain unresolved could hurt the process and scare off investors.
He said telecom operators are also hesitant to join the auction, fearing more legal complications. “Until the courts clear the spectrum, going ahead with the auction is risky,” he told lawmakers.
However, the Ministry of IT disagreed. Its legal representative said there’s no stay order, so the auction can move forward. Barrister Gohar also pushed for urgency, arguing that 5G is needed, especially in tribal areas. “We must move forward instead of getting stuck in legal fear,” he said.
Still, PTA remained firm, saying that even without a stay, companies might get court orders that could delay everything. Committee member Sharmila Faruqui asked whether the PTA’s concerns were real or just fear.
To settle the matter, the sub-committee decided to invite telecom companies to the next meeting and review all court rulings before setting a timeline. The PTA chief also said he’s asked the prime minister to help speed up court decisions.
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