The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that a separate 5G auction for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will be held after the nationwide rollout. PTA Chairman, retired Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, said the government is committed to bringing high-speed internet to these remote areas.
The announcement came during a meeting in Islamabad between the PTA chairman and Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Minister for Information Technology, Ghulam Abbas. The discussion prioritized 5G deployment in mountainous regions, along with broader connectivity challenges.
The PTA clarified that technical and administrative preparations for launching 5G in GB and AJK are still underway. The region’s geography poses challenges, but authorities are working to ensure the next-generation network reaches even remote communities.
Minister Ghulam Abbas emphasized the importance of connecting these areas, highlighting that reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. He pointed out that the youth in Gilgit-Baltistan have strong potential in IT and the digital economy, but limited internet speeds and bandwidth have impacted their growth. The introduction of 5G could open doors for freelancing, online entrepreneurship, and access to modern technology.