Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Friday that Pakistan will auction 600 megahertz (MHz) of additional spectrum next month, a move aimed at improving internet speeds and paving the way for the country’s first-ever 5G rollout.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan’s telecom sector is operating under a severe spectrum shortage, which she described as the primary reason for sluggish internet performance nationwide.

“We are a spectrum-starved country,” she said, noting that mobile operators are currently providing services using just 274 MHz of spectrum for a population of nearly 240 million.

By comparison, she noted that Bangladesh, with around two-thirds of Pakistan’s population, has nearly 600 MHz of spectrum available.

“It’s like trying to run four-lane traffic on a two-lane road,” she added.

Shaza Fatima stated that the federal cabinet has approved the framework for a major spectrum auction, through which approximately 600 megahertz of additional spectrum will be made available to telecom operators. The auction is expected to take place within the next few weeks.

She said the auction will include seven spectrum bands, five of them being offered in Pakistan for the first time. The additional capacity is expected to significantly improve 3G and 4G services within three to four months of the auction, while 5G services are planned to launch within six months in provincial capitals, including Islamabad.

“Our goal is not just faster internet, but future-ready connectivity,” the minister said, adding that the government is working with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and international consultants to align the process with global best practices.

She stressed that reliable internet connectivity has become essential infrastructure for economic growth, national security, education, healthcare, agriculture and exports.

 “Without reliable internet, progress in today’s world is impossible,” she said, pointing out that Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest freelancing economy, with the IT sector growing at around 20 to 21 per cent annually.

The minister credited the prime minister and the finance ministry for backing telecom reforms, including the removal of right-of-way charges across federal departments and several provinces, a step she said has reduced costs and encouraged investment in fibre infrastructure.

She also announced cabinet approval of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) policy, which will allow new mobile brands to enter the market without building their own networks.

Under the policy, MVNOs will purchase network capacity from existing operators and offer services under their own brands.

 “This will increase competition, improve packages and enhance affordability for users,” she said, adding that global experience shows MVNOs strengthen markets and attract foreign investment.

In another move, Shaza Fatima said the PTA has approved district-level ISP licences, enabling local cable operators and small firms to legally provide internet services in villages, small towns and underserved areas.

“This will expand fibre connectivity beyond major cities and address long-standing complaints from rural communities,” she said.

The minister also highlighted improvements in international connectivity, saying Pakistan has joined the world’s longest submarine cable system, SMW-6, with two more undersea cables expected to become operational later this year.

She said the new links would reduce reliance on limited routes and lower the risk of disruptions caused by international cable cuts, including those recently reported in the Red Sea region.

Responding to questions on internet shutdowns, the minister said any temporary suspensions are imposed strictly on security directives from the Interior Ministry, not as a policy decision of the IT Ministry.

“Human lives are more important than connectivity,” she said, adding that such measures are taken only in extreme situations.

Shaza Fatima said users should see a noticeable improvement in internet quality within three to four months after the spectrum auction, calling the reforms “transformational” for Pakistan’s digital future.

“These policies are not for the next year, but for decades to come,” she said.