Pakistan has moved closer to the launch of 5G services after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued licenses to leading telecom operators Jazz, Zong, and Ufone.

The licensing ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s House and was attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shiza Fatima Khawaja, PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman, senior telecom executives, and members of the federal cabinet.

As part of the process, all three operators submitted bank guarantees to fulfill the regulatory requirements for obtaining 5G licenses. PTA Director General Licensing Aamir Shehzad formally signed the licenses alongside the chief executives of the telecom companies.

The event was kept low-key in line with the government’s austerity measures amid ongoing energy challenges.

This development follows the recent 5G spectrum auction, in which PTA sold 480 MHz out of a total 597 MHz available, generating around $510 million in revenue for the national exchequer.

During the ceremony, Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman briefed attendees on the auction process and outlined the regulatory framework that will guide the deployment of 5G services across urban areas.

Telecom operators are expected to begin rolling out 5G in selected parts of major cities in the coming phase. Alongside this, improvements to existing 4G services are also anticipated, with the rollout planned to expand gradually to enhance connectivity, internet speeds, and digital services across the country.