PTAet , TIP sign pact for transparent 3G licence auction

In order to ensure transparency in the auction of 3 Generation Spectrum (3G) licences, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) here on Friday signed an integrity pact. At the Ministry of Finance, PTA Chairman Farooq Awan and TIP Chairman Shoail Muzaffar signed the pact on behalf of their respective organizations. Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also attended the signing ceremony.

Shaikh said that TIP would act as observer as far auction of 3G licences is concerned. After the singing ceremony between PTA and TIP, the finance minister said that TIP would act as observer in the auction of 3G to ensure transparency in the process.
Replying to a question on how a body which came under strong criticism during the last cabinet meeting would ensure transparency, the minister said that selection of TIP to monitor 3G auction process was aimed at improving the image of the country as well as to ensure transparent auction.
He further said that the selection of TIP in this regard does not mean to curtail the role of other accountability institutions including National Accountability Bureau, Public Accounts Committee, Federal Investigation Agency and other parliamentary oversight committees. The government wanted to maximise the revenue by making the auction of 3G licenses transparent. The minister said that other public sector organisations also need to sign such integrity impact with the TIP.
The minister said that the completion of 3G auction would play pivotal role in the improvement of economy, besides creating new job opportunities. Minister said that the prime minister has constituted a committee comprising four ministers to be headed by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farooq Naek that would start work from next week, the minister added.