The National Assembly was informed today that government has initiated the process for release of additional spectrum, with the spectrum auction scheduled to take place in coming months.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the Frequency Allocation Board has made available 567 Mega Hertz additional spectrum in 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600 and 3500 Mega Hertz bands, which is more than 200 percent of existing spectrum.

She further informed that Pakistan’s cellular network has grown rapidly, with mobile subscribers reaching 193.4 million, reflecting 8.5 GB monthly data usage per subscriber.

Responding to a question, Minister for Climate Change and Environment Coordination Musadik Masood Malik said the recent cut in the 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 working to curb online financial fraud.  He said PTA has processed six hundred and four URLs related to financial fraud for blocking. 

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has assured the House to resolve the issue of canals through consensus.

Responding to various points of order, he said the matter of canals is a technical issue, which should be addressed on technical grounds as per the Constitution and the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that not a single drop of Sindh’s water share will be diverted to any other province.

Taking the floor, he assured that any decision will be taken in consultation with the PPP leadership. 

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