Prime Minister forms committee to review telecom bill amid property rights concerns

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the formation of a high-level committee to review controversial provisions of the Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid concerns over property rights and right-of-way access for telecom infrastructure, according to reports. 

The committee has been directed to examine Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A and 27B of the draft law. The review will particularly focus on regulatory powers related to the installation of telecom infrastructure, access to private property and arrangements within housing societies.

According to the terms of reference, the panel will also assess operational and regulatory issues linked to permissions, deployment mechanisms and implementation frameworks in the telecom sector.

The prime minister has directed the committee to treat the matter as a priority and submit recommendations without delay.

The committee will be chaired by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar. Its members include Senator Sherry Rehman, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan, along with legal and information technology experts.

The move comes as the bill faces scrutiny in Parliament over provisions that would expand the authority of telecom operators to install mobile towers and fibre-optic cables.

The legislation, introduced by Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has already been passed by the National Assembly and is now under consideration in the Senate.

The main concern relates to proposed Section 27B, which provides for fines of up to Rs50 million against property owners, tenants, landlords or institutions that refuse or obstruct right-of-way access for telecom infrastructure.

Critics have said the clause could place pressure on citizens to allow installations and may raise questions over due process and private property protections.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, members raised objections to the wording and implications of the bill.

Senators Afnan Ullah and Sadia Abbasi questioned whether the proposed framework could weaken legal protections for private property and compel residents to provide access under threat of heavy penalties.

Committee members said the bill, in its current form, could allow telecom companies faster access to private premises without adequate safeguards or consent mechanisms.

Lawmakers said citizens should not be compelled to allow infrastructure installation without clear legal protections and transparent procedures based on mutual agreement.

Officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication rejected concerns that the bill would allow forced acquisition or arbitrary entry onto private property. They said the installation of telecom towers and fibre networks would continue under existing legal frameworks and contractual arrangements.

The officials said the bill was aimed at speeding up 5G rollout, expanding broadband coverage and resolving long-standing right-of-way disputes between federal and provincial authorities.

Despite these explanations, the Senate committee deferred approval of the bill and directed a clause-by-clause review.

Lawmakers have called for clearer language and stronger safeguards for private property rights before the legislation moves further.