A government committee formed on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended revisions to Pakistan's proposed telecommunications law to ensure that private property rights are fully protected. The committee submitted its interim report on Wednesday, emphasizing that owner consent and mutual agreement must remain fundamental prerequisites for any access to or use of private property by telecom companies.
Background of the Controversy
The Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026, had drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and civil society after it was revealed that the bill contained a clause allowing telecom operators to treat a property owner's failure to respond to two official notices as 'implied consent' for installing telecom infrastructure. Critics argued that this provision undermined constitutional guarantees of property rights and could lead to forced installations without explicit permission.
In response to the uproar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended parliamentary proceedings on the bill and ordered the formation of a special committee to review the contentious provisions. The committee, comprising legal experts and government officials, was tasked with balancing the need for telecom sector development with the protection of citizens' constitutional rights.
Key Recommendations of the Committee
According to a statement from the Ministry of Law and Justice, the committee's interim report recommends that no action concerning access to or use of land, buildings, property, or assets of any private individual or private legal entity shall be undertaken without the owner's consent and a mutually agreed arrangement. This provision is intended to eliminate any ambiguity that might allow telecom companies to bypass owner approval.
The committee also proposed that the bill's scope be explicitly clarified to apply to land, buildings, properties, and assets owned or administered by public bodies, federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as regulated private residential schemes, cooperative housing societies, and other similar entities. This ensures that both public and private properties are covered under the same consent requirements.
Definitions and Distinctions
To avoid any misunderstanding at any level, the committee called for clear legal definitions of private land, private property, private persons, companies, cooperative societies, and other forms of joint ownership arrangements. Additionally, it recommended a clear distinction between above-ground and underground telecommunications infrastructure, with separate procedures for each. This would allow for more tailored regulations that account for the different impacts of surface and subsurface installations.
The Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed that the committee had reached a consensus on the bill's broad principles and policy objectives. A draft of the proposed amendments is expected to be finalized within a week for further consideration by the government and parliament.
Government's Stance
The Ministry of Law and Justice reiterated the government's commitment to the development of the telecommunications and information technology sectors. 'However, such development shall proceed with full protection of the constitutional and legal rights of citizens,' the ministry stated. The government is expected to move forward with the revised bill after incorporating the committee's recommendations, aiming to strike a balance between expanding telecom infrastructure and safeguarding property rights.
