5G Spectrum Auction to Include Gilgit-Baltistan, Boost Digital Development

Gilgit-Baltistan – (Web Desk) – Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Information Technology Gilgit-Baltistan Ghulam Abbas held an important meeting with Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman in Islamabad on Thursday.

During the meeting, the upcoming 5G spectrum auction in the country and the inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan in the process were discussed in detail.

The caretaker minister for Information stressed that it is imperative to provide high-speed internet facilities to Gilgit-Baltistan like other parts of the country so that the public, students, business community and IT-related youth can benefit from modern digital facilities.

The Chairman PTA said that the technical testing and evaluation process in Gilgit-Baltistan requires more time, however, the federal government will ensure that the 5G spectrum auction process is completed in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir a few months after the general auction in other parts of the country.

He informed that the Gilgit-Baltistan Council has already been taken into confidence in this regard and regular consultations are underway.

The meeting also discussed in detail the issues of telecommunication and internet connectivity faced by Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Chairman PTA assured of providing all possible cooperation and facilitation in resolving these issues and future steps.

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In-charge Information Minister Ghulam Abbas termed this development as an important step towards digital development in Gilgit-Baltistan and expressed hope that the launch of 5G services will significantly boost economic activities, online education, e-governance and IT industry in the region.