In a Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC) meeting held yesterday, it was revealed that PTA has finalized the process of selection of consultant for 3G auction, told us a source with first-hand information on meeting.
Meeting, chaired by Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Finance, was told that an advertisement was published on November 7, 2012 in the print media as well as PTA website to hire Individual consultant(s) for the auction of 3G license, tell us the source.
Source further revealed that in response to said advertisement, fifty one applications were received by authority, out of which only 27 applicants were qualified. Out of which, the shorting listing/evaluation and selection committee selected the three candidates for the following positions:
ASC meeting was told that all three candidates are hired for a short term advisory services, for which the total cost of three consultants will be USD 545,000 or PKR 51,775,000 for three months.
Later in the evening, Mr. Farooq Awan, Chairman PTA, announced that auction for 3G in Pakistan will be carried out by mid-January 2013. Mr. Awan reaffirmed that authority will arrange road shows in Far East, Europe and Middle East in order to attract potential investors towards this crucial transaction for Pakistan, which is essential to curb the balance of payment crisis.
Mr. Awan told the media that one of the consultant was assigned to prepare a software to bring open-ness and transparency in the auction, adding that government will also establish oversight committee comprising media persons and international observers to ensure transparency in this deal.
Chairman PTA said that Pakistan is expecting to make USD 900 million from 3G auction.