Pakistan invites Azerbaijan to join spectrum auction, eyes strategic digital partnership

Pakistan plans to invite Azerbaijan to take part in the upcoming auction for the allocation of 600 MHz of radio frequency spectrum, said Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the country’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications.

The minister noted that the auction, scheduled for next quarter, will expand Pakistan’s total available spectrum to over 900 MHz, paving the way for higher service quality and broader mobile coverage across the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Spectrum represents the volume of radio frequency resources Pakistan intends to make available to mobile operators and other telecom companies. This is a significant step for improving connectivity nationwide. Why is this relevant to our relations with Azerbaijan? The auction is fully open, and we welcome Azerbaijan’s telecom industry to participate. Given Pakistan’s rapidly digitalizing population of 240 million, the demand for data is growing exponentially, presenting substantial business opportunities for all participants,” Khawaja stated.

The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s plans to strengthen its undersea and fiber-optic connectivity.

“Our goal is to diversify international connectivity routes eastward and westward, positioning Pakistan as a key transit hub for data. This vision aligns with Azerbaijan, as we seek to revive a modern Silk Road spanning Pakistan, Central Asia, and Azerbaijan. We aim to explore direct fiber connectivity, including undersea cable access, in close cooperation with the Azerbaijani government,” she explained.

Khawaja further emphasized that Pakistan-Azerbaijan cooperation extends across multiple sectors, including mining and natural resources.

“We already maintain direct flights from two Pakistani cities to Baku and are considering expanding this network. Transport connectivity is essential. Across nearly every sector, we are discussing investment, expanding bilateral trade, and fostering cultural ties, which are extremely important to us. Lahore and Islamabad already have direct connections to Baku, and in the future, Karachi and other provincial centres may be included,” the minister added.

By Vafa Guliyeva