During the National Assembly’s Question Hour on Monday, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the House that the government was actively working to bring Starlink services to Pakistan, with the licensing process expected to conclude very soon.
Responding to a question raised by MNA Nabil Gabol, the minister stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had already offered a multi-band spectrum to facilitate Starlink’s entry. “No telecom company is currently awaiting Starlink’s approval,” she clarified.
Shaza Fatima informed the House that the government had initiated the process for the release of additional spectrum, with an auction scheduled in the coming months.
Responding to a question, she said the Frequency Allocation Board has made 567 MHz of additional spectrum available across the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz bands—over 200pc more than the existing spectrum.
To support the spectrum auction process, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has engaged NERA, an internationally reputed consultancy firm. The consultancy will also develop a comprehensive strategy for maximising spectrum release to support next-generation mobile broadband services, including 4G and 5G. It will assess spectrum valuation in line with global trends, aiming to drive economic growthand attract foreign investment. Following the auction, PTA will issue licenses with specific network rollout obligations. These obligations, determined annually, will focus on population coverage across provinces and may follow international practices such as rollout based on major cities or site count. The consultant is expected to propose a pricing strategy that balances economic growth, investor incentives, and global best practices while evaluating the impact of previous auctions and renewals.
Responding to a question raised by MNA Shagufta Jumani during the question hour, the House was informed that the chairman Nepra receives a gross monthly salary of Rs3,247,606. After tax deductions of Rs1,075,412, his take-home salary stands at Rs2,172,194.
Each Member of Nepra, meanwhile, draws a gross monthly salary of Rs2,943,064, with tax deductions amounting to Rs968,822. Their post-tax monthly salary is Rs1,974,242.
In addition to salaries, the chairman and members are entitled to several fringe benefits, including medical facilities and a gratuity equal to one basic pay for each completed year of service — Rs772,780 for the chairman and Rs701,005 for each member.
The Cabinet Division further explained that salary increments over the last five years (FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25) included annual ad hoc relief allowances announced in the federal budgets. Additionally, since July 2023, Nepra has provided a regulatory (subsistence) allowance to all its staff, including the chairman and members, to help offset the effects of rising inflation. It was also clarified that neither the chairman nor the members receive annual increments.
Following amendments to the Nepra Act in 2018, the authority to determine the emoluments of the chairman and members was transferred from the federal government to Nepra itself, subject to federal approval.
Earlier, during the Question Hour, the speaker expressed his annoyance over the absence of Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik on the first question. When Sharmila Farooqi asked a question, the minister was not present to answer. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the speaker to postpone the question, as Musadik Malik was arriving in the house soon.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said it was unacceptable. “It is the collective responsibility of the cabinet to give answers,” he said. He said that Musadik Malik be called in five minutes. “He should be in the house; otherwise, he should answer himself. After a while, Musadik Malik entered the house.”
Hina Rabbani Khar, in a lighter vein, asked Musadik Malik she didn’t know if bringing him from the Ministry of Petroleum to Climate Change was a punishment or a reward? Musadik said he felt like a reward. “I leave the rest to you,” he said.
Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1299143-govt-to-finalise-starlink-licensing-soon-shaza-fatima