A government committee established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has proposed extensive revisions to the legislation, reaffirming that no access to or use of private property can take place without the consent of the owner. The recommendations were presented in an interim report issued after a detailed review of the bill’s Right of Way provisions and the existing legal framework governing telecommunications infrastructure deployment. The committee was formed following concerns raised by lawmakers from both the government and opposition benches regarding several clauses in the proposed legislation. According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the committee concluded that the primary objective of the bill is to improve digital connectivity and support telecommunications infrastructure development while ensuring the protection of citizens’ constitutional and legal rights. However, it also determined that several provisions required clarification to eliminate ambiguity and strengthen safeguards related to property ownership and implementation procedures.
Addressing one of the most debated aspects of the legislation, the committee stated that owner consent and mutually agreed arrangements must remain essential requirements whenever private property is involved. The report specifically noted that no action concerning access to or use of land, buildings, properties, assets, or facilities owned by private individuals or private legal entities should be undertaken without approval from the owner and an agreed framework between the parties involved. The committee further recommended that the legislation clearly define its scope by specifying its application to land, buildings, and assets owned, managed, or controlled by federal, provincial, and local government institutions. In addition, the proposed framework should explicitly cover regulated private housing schemes, cooperative housing societies, and similar entities. To prevent future disputes or differing interpretations, the committee advised incorporating detailed definitions for private land, private property, private individuals, companies, cooperative societies, and other forms of joint ownership directly into the legislation.
The interim report also proposed clearer distinctions between telecommunications infrastructure located above ground and below ground, recommending separate procedures for each category as well as distinct treatment of right of way arrangements and related equipment. To improve dispute resolution mechanisms, the committee suggested establishing a structured process for handling disagreements between licensed telecom operators and public institutions, housing societies, cooperative societies, or similar organizations. Under the proposed framework, such disputes would be referred to the relevant government authority, which would be required to issue a decision within 45 days in accordance with applicable laws. The committee further recommended establishing clear principles to guide authorities when evaluating infrastructure proposals, assessing public interest considerations, determining necessity, and calculating compensation where applicable. Individuals affected by decisions would also have the right to appeal before the Telecommunications Appellate Tribunal established under Section 7A of the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation Act, 1996, with tribunal decisions serving as the final stage of appeal.
The committee additionally recommended revisiting the bill’s overriding clause to ensure consistency between its language and intended objectives while removing uncertainty regarding citizens’ rights. It also proposed reviewing the penalties outlined under Section 27B(1) so they align more effectively with the overall structure and purpose of the legislation. According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, consensus has been achieved on the broader policy objectives and principal amendments, with a final draft expected to be completed within a week before being submitted for further consideration. The bill, introduced by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and approved by the National Assembly on June 11, was later deferred by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication following concerns regarding several provisions. Questions surrounding the legislation intensified after lawmakers and stakeholders expressed reservations about its potential impact on property rights. PPP, a key coalition partner, also called for greater scrutiny before supporting the bill in the Senate. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has separately clarified that the proposed Right of Way reforms do not permit forcible acquisition of private land or unauthorized entry onto private property. The ministry reiterated that property owners retain the right to object, negotiate terms, and seek appropriate compensation before any infrastructure work can proceed, emphasizing that the objective of the reforms is to improve access to reliable and high speed internet services while maintaining full protection of private property rights.
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