ISLAMABAD: Stressing the need to release the unsold spectrum of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS), Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Thursday directed the Ministry of Information Technology to hire a consultant at the earliest for the sale of available spectrum.
Chairing the meeting of the advisory committee, the adviser stated that the entire process of auction must be transparent and an officer may be designated to apprise the public about the progress regarding the sale of spectrum on a regular basis.
Among others, Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry also participated in the meeting, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry.
The sale [of spectrum] would contribute towards strengthening and expanding communications/information technology services across the country, besides creating job opportunities for youth and improving ease of doing business, the adviser noted.
The next meeting of the advisory committee is expected to be held next month.
Earlier, the committee was briefed by the PTA chairman and IT secretary about the latest developments on the sale of available spectrum of next generation mobile services. The members of frequency allocation board also shared their input on the subject.
The committee was briefed that the process to hire a consultant for the sale of available spectrum would be completed within 60 days and a report would be prepared and submitted before the committee accordingly.
It is expected that the initial report would be ready by December 2020.
The process for the sale of spectrum would follow after the hiring of a consultant and would be completed within the current financial year.
