Senate Warns Telecom Delays Threaten Digital Goals
Senate committee on IT and Telecom has raised alarm over prolonged delays in spectrum auctions, saying the stalemate is damaging the quality of mobile and internet services nationwide. Members have now called the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) to the next session to clarify why progress has stalled.
Officials briefed the committee that telecom operators are currently using only 274 MHz of spectrum, a fraction of what neighbouring countries utilise. They noted that this shortfall is limiting call quality, slowing broadband speeds and restricting network expansion.
The Ministry of IT explained that several disputes over spectrum allocation are tied up in legal proceedings, preventing new auctions. When asked who initiated these cases, the IT Secretary acknowledged that FAB itself was one of the parties involved, surprising committee members.
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The discussion became tense when officials mentioned Sun TV as a litigant but admitted they did not know its ownership details. The committee chair expressed displeasure at the lack of clarity, urging officials to “return only when they have the facts.”
It was left to a journalist present, Kulb Ali of Dawn, to confirm that the broadcaster is linked to businessman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi. Some senators remarked that government departments avoid naming him publicly out of caution. Suggestions were made to summon Dhedhi in the next meeting to explain Sun TV’s position.
Legal experts in the ministry admitted that these disputes are unlikely to be resolved in the Supreme Court soon and proposed out-of-court settlements. Senators warned that failure to unlock additional spectrum will continue to hurt millions of mobile users and hinder Pakistan’s digital ambitions.
