PTA announces separate 5G spectrum auction for Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK within months

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, retired Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, has announced that a separate auction for 5G spectrum will be held for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) within months following the nationwide 5G rollout.

During a meeting with GB's caretaker Minister for Information Technology, Ghulam Abbas, in Islamabad, both parties discussed the proposed auction and the need for improved connectivity in these mountainous regions. 

Abbas emphasised the importance of ensuring that GB does not fall behind the rest of the country in accessing high-speed internet, particularly for e-governance, online education, telemedicine, and IT-based businesses.

GB's caretaker minister pointed out that current limitations in bandwidth and infrastructure had hindered socio-economic progress, particularly affecting youth, students, entrepreneurs, and the tourism industry.

PTA Chairman Rehman confirmed that preparations for the auction were underway. The authority has reached out to the GB Council, AJK Council, and the Ministry of IT and Telecom to begin work on the regulatory framework for both regions. 

However, due to the need for technical testing, regulatory reviews, and spectrum arrangements, a separate auction will be required for GB and AJK.

“Our preference as a regulator is that spectrum should be provided free of cost in GB and AJK, so operators can focus their capital expenditure on developing the necessary technical infrastructure,” Rehman said.

Amir Shahzad, Director General of Licensing at PTA, also suggested that GB follow AJK’s example by removing right-of-way (RoW) charges for telecom infrastructure. The federal government has already directed ministries and departments to offer free access for IT and telecom fibre networks.

Recently, the AJK government waived RoW charges for IT infrastructure and introduced a one-window facility for no-objection certificates required for telecom tower installation and fibre deployment. This move is expected to speed up broadband expansion in the region by reducing delays and financial obstacles.