Senate panel defers telecom bill amid concerns over right of way, private property protection

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Thursday deferred further consideration of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after senators raised concerns over right-of-way provisions, private property protections and discretionary powers under the proposed law.

The committee met at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairpersonship of Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan.

During the committee meeting, officials said the proposed amendments focused on institutional reforms in line with State-Owned Enterprise principles, expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and measures to improve operational efficiency and transparency within the regulatory framework.

The committee was informed that the bill seeks to streamline right-of-way procedures for fibre deployment, strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms, support national digital connectivity targets and improve coordination among federal and provincial authorities.

Officials said the proposed changes were intended to accelerate fibre penetration and expand internet infrastructure across the country.

The bill, introduced by the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, had already been passed by the National Assembly. 

Minister for IT Shizza Fatima, while talking to a news channel, said that the bill was passed by the National Assembly in consultation with the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Senators, however, raised concerns over provisions related to the powers of the appropriate government, use of discretionary language in implementation clauses and possible implications for private property rights.

Committee members said no individual should be forced to allow installation of telecommunications infrastructure without clear legal protections, mutually agreed arrangements and transparent dispute resolution procedures.

They also questioned provisions dealing with access to land, placement of telecom towers and penalties linked to denial of right of way.

Representatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication said the bill did not authorise forced acquisition or occupation of private property.

They said deployment of telecom infrastructure would remain subject to mutual agreements, legal procedures and defined dispute resolution mechanisms.

Officials also assured the committee that private ownership rights would remain protected and that provisions or wording causing ambiguity would be reviewed and refined.

The ministry further said notices, hearings and administrative review mechanisms had been included in the proposed framework to ensure transparency and accountability.

The committee also discussed governance provisions related to institutional restructuring and appointments under the proposed law.

Members said transitional arrangements and delegated powers should remain transparent and time-bound.

After deliberations, the committee decided to continue clause-by-clause review of the bill in its next meeting.