Pakistan receives five proposals from international consultants to manage 5G spectrum auction

A logo of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is seen on its headquarters building in Islamabad on August 16, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 03 September 2024
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Pakistan receives five proposals from international consultants to manage 5G spectrum auction

  • Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has said auction likely to take place by March 2025
  • Pakistan last completed the auction for 3G and the more advanced 4G network in April 2014

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received five proposals from international consultants to manage the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, the body said in a statement on Monday. 

Pakistan’s federal cabinet last October greenlit the much-anticipated auction of 5G spectrum services to bring fresh investment in the country. Pakistan last completed the auction for 3G and the more advanced 4G network, the first of its kind in the country, in April 2014.

The use of 5G allows faster video streaming and Internet downloads for mobile users. 

The PTA said the following consulting firms had submitted their technical and financial bids: Aetha Consulting Limited, Detecon Consulting FZ-LLC, Frontier Economics Limited, KomKonsult (Private) Limited and National Economic Research Associates Inc.

“The PTA will now undertake a detailed evaluation of the technical and financial bids in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules,” the statement said.

PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications earlier this year that the 5G spectrum auction would likely take place by March 2025.

Last year, Pakistan set up a Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee, led by Pakistan’s finance minister, with members from the IT, telecommunication, industries and production ministries, to oversee the 5G spectrum auction. 

All major mobile operators in Pakistan, including Zong, Jazz, Telenor, and Ufone, have conducted successful 5G trials and are currently utilizing 274 MHz of spectrum. However, an additional 300 MHz of spectrum will need to be auctioned to launch commercial 5G services.


Islamic military coalition, Pakistan to deepen cooperation to combat ‘terrorism’ — Pakistani military

Updated 02 February 2026
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Islamic military coalition, Pakistan to deepen cooperation to combat ‘terrorism’ — Pakistani military

  • Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is a 43-member alliance that includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, UAE and other nations
  • The Pakistani military statement comes after a meeting between IMCTC secretary-general and the chief of Pakistani defense forces in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, including intelligence sharing and capacity building, to jointly combat “terrorism” and “extremism,” the Pakistani military said on Monday.

The IMCTC is a 43-member military alliance that was formed on Saudi Arabia’s initiative in Dec. 2015 to consolidate Muslim countries’ efforts in countering “terrorism.”

A 17-member IMCTC delegation is visiting Pakistan from Feb. 2-6 to conduct a training at National University of Sciences and Technology on “Re-integration and Rehabilitation of Extremist Elements,” according to the Pakistani military.

On Monday, IMCTC Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi held a meeting with Chief of Pakistani Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss cooperation among IMCTC member states.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, with particular emphasis on regional security dynamics and enhanced cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said in a statement.

“Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism and extremism through collaborative strategies, intelligence sharing, and capacity building among member states.”

The IMCTC features Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Palestine, UAE, Bangladesh and other nations. In 2017, Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. (retd) Raheel Sharif was appointed as the IMCTC commander-in-chief.

During discussions with Major General Al-Moghedi, Field Marshal Munir appreciated the role of IMCTC in fostering stability and promoting coordinated counterterrorism initiatives across the Islamic world, according to the ISPR.

The IMCTC secretary-general acknowledged Pakistan’s significant contributions and sacrifices in the fight against militancy and lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces.

“The meeting underscored the resolve of both sides to further strengthen institutional collaboration for peace, stability, and security in the region,” the ISPR added.

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with most Muslim countries around the world, particularly Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In Sept. 2025, Pakistan signed a landmark defense pact with Saudi Arabia according to which an act of aggression against one country will be treated as an act of aggression against both.