Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed today that the government has initiated the process for the release of additional spectrum, with the spectrum auction scheduled to take place in the coming months. Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the Frequency Allocation Board has made available 567 Mega Hertz additional spectrum in 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 Mega Hertz bands. This allocation represents more than 200 percent of the existing spectrum.

According to Radio Pakistan, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja further informed that Pakistan’s cellular network has grown rapidly, with mobile subscribers reaching 193.4 million. This growth reflects an 8.5 GB monthly data usage per subscriber. Responding to another question, Minister for Climate Change and Environment Coordination Musadik Masood Malik mentioned that the recent cut in electricity prices will enhance exports, generate job opportunities, and boost the industrial sector.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the House that the cybercrime agency is actively working to curb online financial fraud. He reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has processed 604 URLs related to financial fraud for blocking. Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has assured the House of resolving the issue of canals through consensus.

Addressing various points of order, Attaullah Tarar emphasized that the matter of canals is a technical issue that should be addressed on technical grounds as per the Constitution and the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar assured the assembly that not a single drop of Sindh’s water share will be diverted to any other province and promised that any decision will be made in consultation with the PPP leadership.

The House has been adjourned and will meet again on Wednesday at 4 in the afternoon.