Pakistan’s long-awaited rollout of 5G services appears to be moving forward, as the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has indicated a fresh timeline for the 5G spectrum auction.
During an informal discussion with journalists, the PTA Chairman shared that all major groundwork for the auction has been completed. The authority plans to formally approach the government to schedule the auction before the beginning of Ramadan. According to him, the information memorandum — a key document outlining auction details — is expected to be issued within the next 10 to 15 days.
Once the memorandum is released, telecom operators will be given a 45-day window to fulfill all requirements and prepare their bids. If the document is issued around the start of January, the auction could potentially take place by mid-February, ensuring the process concludes ahead of Ramadan.
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The chairman also spoke at a national cybersecurity awareness event, where he stressed the importance of digital literacy. He noted that while people spend a considerable amount of time on social media, many lack a clear understanding of how the digital ecosystem works, making them vulnerable to cybercrime.
Highlighting the seriousness of online threats, he referred to a recent case in which an individual lost Rs. 30 million to fraud. He warned that advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly AI-generated videos, are making scams more convincing and harder to detect.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to improve digital safety through updated legislation, the PTA chief emphasized that public awareness remains crucial. He stated that better understanding of cybersecurity risks can help citizens protect themselves financially and, in some cases, even save lives.
