3G Spectrum Auction Faces Conspiracies from a “Hidden Hand”
Although it is inexcusable to be this speculative for the government on issues about technology and scientific upgradation, but Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology does not feel hesitant to lay the blame for 3G spectrum auction’s lack of progress on what they claim to be a “hidden hand”. The ministry wants the Prime Minister’s to intervene to save the process. It is very unfortunate that the matter was allowed to spiral out of control in this manner.
Recently, an MoU was signed with the Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) to supervise the fairness of the auction. However, the unwanted element for the ministry comes in with the insistence of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to also be involved to oversee the auction. Due to many such reasons as this, the 3G spectrum auction has been delayed for more than a year now. Before TIP was included to supervise the process, there was a resistance against its inclusion too from the Ministry of Finance as well as NAB.
Thus far, there is a struggle to be found within Pakistan’s various authorities to pull the process apart rather than making it move forward with any smooth strategy and vision. It seems rather conspiratorial to say a “hidden hand” is involved to rip off the process in this manner, but the cause of such disruption can be easily pinned down to the lack of commitment and professionalism in stakeholders too.
If properly put through, the 3G spectrum can earn more than one billion dollars in revenue. Even Microsoft showed its interest in investing in 3G technology in Pakistan. With such potential of economic and technological growth, it is very disappointing to see the whole scheme not come through successfully.
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