A parliamentary panel on Thursday expressed their serious concerns over non-competitiveness in the much-awaited auction of 3G license and constituted a sub-committee in this regard to ensure transparency in the auction.
Meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology was held here under the chairmanship of Ch Muhammad Barjees Tahir to discuss the 3-G policy in the country whether 3 G auction went through competitive process. Chairperson of Competition commission of Paksitan Rahat Konain briefed the committee about competitiveness in process of 3 G auction but committee showed resentment over the briefing and directed Chairperson CCP to give details about preparation and consultation with all stake holders. Members said that chairperson don’t have facts regarding the matter.
During the meeting secretary Information technology and telecommunication told that new policy for the auctioning of 3G is under process and auction would be done on previous policy. Standing committee showed concern over the information that how auction could be done over expired policy. Chairman of the committee Barjees Tahir said that how can the auctioning be fair and transparent under the umbrella of expired policy.
Sardar Talib Nakai asked about the qualifications of new telecom operators which would take part in the auction process of 3G in the country and said that auctioning of 3G spectrum without any new policy is not good. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Ministry of information technology and telecommunication put the responsibility on each other about the formulation of policy for 3G auctioning.
Chairman said that PTA and ministry have differences over this small issue then how the process of 3 G would be fair and transparent?
Humayun Saifullah said that ministry of information technology and telecommunication has wasted the time and remained unable to hire the services of a consultant during four years. Member of the committee Sardar Muhammad Shafqat Hayat said that every person has information that government is ready to award 3G license to Mobilink and Zong so after that why this process is being adopted for auctioning? Barjees Tahir said that 3 G auction process seems like it would be the new big scandal of corruption in the country. He said that it is not minor thing as this matter is of about 50 billion rupees.
At this chairman constituted a sub-committee under the supervision of Anusha Rehman to see the auctioning process of 3G in the country.
Secretary Privatization Amjad Ali informed the 3G auction is not mandate of privatization commission while Humayaun Saifullah said that spectrum is the asset of government and privatization commission should be involved in it. Chairman of the standing committee also quizzed the PTA officials that why they are using delaying tactics and creating hurdles in the Pakistan telecommunication bill 2010 presented to stop the grey trafficking in the country. Chairman said that annually billion of rupees lost due to grey trafficking in the country and PTA is doing nothing in this regard. He said there is immediate need to do legislation in this regard.
Chairman Barjees Tahir constituted sub-committee to discuss the bill of Humayaun Saifullah about grey trafficking and directed the committee to submit its report on immediate basis.
NA body calls for transparency in 3G license auction
