The government is said to have decided to go for shortest possible route for appointment of consultant to complete the process within given timeframe for auctioning 3G spectrum licenses, it was learnt.
Sources said that a summary to this effect had been moved by the Ministry of Information and Technology (MoIT) to the Prime Minister requesting that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) may be authorised to invoke the emergency clauses of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority''s (PPRA) Rules for direct contracting so that the Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC) on auction of 3G spectrum may interview the short-listed candidates/consultant to conclude the assignment within the given timeframe.
The ASC meeting presided over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reportedly approved the updated scheme of policy, which would now be presented to the Cabinet. The materialisation of U$800 million on account of auctioning of 3G licenses are considered very important by the economic team to maintain the foreign exchange reserves at reasonable level and wanted the auction to be completed within the specified time.
The economic team is facing serious pressure on external account because of uncertainty about materialisation of the budgeted inflows on various accounts, which could consequently adversely impact the foreign exchange reserves. An official said that the economic team has been exploring every possible option for early auction of 3G spectrum licenses.
The statement issued by the Prime Minister Secretariat after the meeting stated that Gilani directed that the proposed auction must ensure transparency, professionalism and due validation and it should be completed within the permissible time. The introduction of the new technology in the telecom sector should enhance outreach of the connectivity facilities at an affordable price to the consumers.
In the meeting, the progress regarding the auction of the 3G spectrum was discussed in detail and it was emphasised that the due bidding should take precedence over all other considerations, which are in the interest of all the stakeholders. In the meeting, the process conducted up till now was appreciated for the professionalism and the PTA was asked to hire the services of the internationally reputed consultant to assist in the transaction.
The meeting was attended by Hafeez Sheikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Rehman Malik, Minister for Interior, Dr Asim Hussain, Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, Secretary IT, Secretary Finance, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, and representatives of Telecom and PTA.