ECC sets up a body for release of unsold NGMS spectrum

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the formation of an advisory committee for the release of unsold spectrum for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) to improve mobile broadband services in the country.
Adviser on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the ECC meeting here on Wednesday.
The composition of the advisory committee is as follows: adviser to pm on finance & revenue (chairman), federal minister for information technology and telecommunication,
adviser to PM on commerce, minister for industries and production, and federal minister for planning, development and special initiatives, besides other members.
The terms of reference (ToRs) of the committee would be: 1) to examine and evaluate the market assessment report and recommendations of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for release of maximum NGMS spectrum in Pakistan; 2) to examine and finalize the policy directives for the federal government for the release of NGMS spectrum in Pakistan; 3) and to oversee the release process to be conducted by the PTA.
The ECC also approved continuation of concessionary rates of electricity and regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for export-oriented sectors. It has been worked out by the Power Division that for July-August 2020, the electricity to export-oriented sectors may be provided at US cents 7.5/kWh all inclusive and thereafter at US cents 9/kWh all inclusive for the rest of the financial year 2020-21.
The ECC also decided that the Finance Division will continue with the existing guarantee of Rs31 billion for the power sector through Power Holding Company.
The ECC also approved the amendment in the minutes of an earlier decision (based on the directives given earlier in the meeting of 22 July 2020) related to subsidy of the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority. The amended and approved decision states “approval of allocation of Rs33,095 million on account of 10 years mark-up subsidy on loans with tenor up to 20 years with supplementary grant of Rs4,774 million on account of mark-up payment during the current financial year (FY 2020-21). – TLTP