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The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology reported on Monday that the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction in Pakistan is currently stalled due to unresolved legal disputes involving major telecom operators.

Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, informed the committee that out of the 196 MHz of spectrum earmarked for future auctions, 146 MHz is entangled in litigation.

He emphasized that these ongoing legal issues, which have persisted for years, are preventing the auction from moving forward.

He also highlighted that the uncertainty surrounding these cases is negatively impacting auction planning and investor confidence.

Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima revealed that only 50 MHz of spectrum is currently available for allocation, while two critical court cases continue to impede the release of the remaining spectrum.

“Billions of rupees are stuck. We are urging the courts for expedited resolutions, but tactics to delay proceedings are being employed,” she stated.

The committee underscored that the auction process cannot prioritize revenue alone, with Committee Chairman Aminul Haq emphasizing the need for a balance between financial and technical considerations during planning.

In response to the situation, the committee has established a special sub-committee tasked with reviewing the legal hurdles and enhancing coordination with the judiciary to ensure prompt verdicts.

They called for the swift resolution of the pending cases to prevent any further setbacks in launching 5G services in Pakistan.