Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Friday that new telecom companies will enter Pakistan, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started issuing virtual network licenses. She informed the National Assembly during question hour on Friday that a spectrum auction is scheduled for mid-year.

The issuance of virtual network licenses is part of efforts to enhance the country’s telecom infrastructure. The spectrum auction is expected to attract new investors and improve service quality.

Parliamentary Secretary on Finance Saad Waseem Sheikh clarified that the government has no plan to impose additional taxes. He emphasized that revenue collection efforts are in progress to meet the annual target.

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Wajiha Qamar reported that the first phase of the seventh Agriculture Census has been completed. She noted that the data will be used to make informed decisions for the growth of the agriculture sector.

Parliamentary Secretary for Education Farah Naz Akbar announced that the Cambridge Education System will be introduced in four public sector schools in Islamabad from April. She described it as a pilot project, with plans for future expansion to other public institutions.

The National Assembly will reconvene on Monday at 5:00 PM.