Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, retired Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, announced that the federal government plans a dedicated 5G spectrum auction for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following the nationwide rollout of 5G services.

The announcement came during a meeting in Islamabad with Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Minister for Information Technology, Ghulam Abbas, where both sides discussed the proposed 5G auction and connectivity challenges in mountainous regions. The PTA Chairman assured that GB and AJK would be included in the next phase of the 5G expansion.

During the discussion, the caretaker minister emphasized the importance of high-speed internet in remote areas, noting its role in education, healthcare, tourism, business, and digital governance. He highlighted that the youth in Gilgit-Baltistan face limitations due to slow internet speeds, and that 5G deployment could boost freelancing, online entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.

The PTA also explained that technical assessments and administrative preparations are ongoing to enable 5G in challenging terrains. Both parties reviewed mobile network and internet service issues in remote areas, particularly weak signals in mountainous zones, and reiterated their commitment to improving telecom infrastructure to accelerate regional development through enhanced connectivity.