A committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the controversial Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has proposed sweeping changes to the legislation, ruling out any access to or use of private property without the owner's consent and calling for clearer wording in several provisions to remove ambiguity.
Committee Submits Interim Report on Right of Way Provisions
The development comes a week after the prime minister formed the committee following strong criticism from both government allies and opposition lawmakers, who demanded thorough scrutiny of the bill and amendments to its contentious clauses. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Wednesday, the committee reviewing the bill's Right of Way provisions submitted its interim report after conducting a detailed review of the proposed amendments and the existing legal framework governing Right of Way.
Key Recommendations on Private Property
Addressing concerns relating to private property, the report stated that owner consent and a mutually agreed arrangement would remain a fundamental requirement in all such matters. “No action involving access to or use of the land, building, property, or assets of a private individual or private legal entity would be taken without the owner's consent and a mutual agreement,” it added.
The committee recommended that the law clearly specify its applicability to land, buildings, properties, and assets owned, managed, or controlled by public institutions as well as federal, provincial, and local governments. It also proposed explicitly extending the framework to regulated private housing schemes, cooperative housing societies, and similar entities.
Clarifying Definitions and Distinctions
The report further recommended that definitions relating to private land, private property, private individuals, companies, cooperative societies, and other forms of joint ownership be clearly incorporated into the legislation to avoid misunderstandings. According to the press release, a clear distinction would be maintained between telecommunications infrastructure located above and below ground, right-of-way arrangements and related equipment, with separate procedures prescribed for each category.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism
The committee also proposed a mechanism for resolving disputes involving licensed operators and public institutions, housing schemes, cooperative housing societies or similar entities. Under the proposal, such disputes would be referred to the appropriate government, which would be required to decide the matter within 45 days in accordance with the law. It further recommended that clear principles be established to guide the relevant government in assessing the necessity and appropriateness of any proposal, its public interest implications, and the compensation payable.
The report said any person affected by a decision of the relevant government should have the right to appeal before the Telecommunications Appellate Tribunal established under Section 7A of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganisation) Act, 1996, with the tribunal's decision being final.
Review of Overriding Clause and Penalties
The committee also recommended a review of the overriding clause to ensure consistency between the language and objectives of the law and to remove any ambiguity regarding citizens' rights. In addition, it proposed revisiting the penalty prescribed under Section 27B(1) and aligning it with the broader objectives, structure, and provisions of the legislation.
Consensus and Next Steps
According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the committee had reached consensus on the broad principles, policy objectives, and necessary amendments. A draft of the proposed changes to the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, would be finalised within one week and submitted for further consideration and directions.
The ministry said the government remained committed to promoting the growth of the telecommunications and information technology sectors while ensuring full protection of citizens' constitutional and legal rights. It stressed that there would be no compromise on the principles of private property rights, owner consent, the right to object, legal safeguards, and compensation. The ministry added that the objective of the Right of Way reforms was to provide the public with better, more reliable, and faster internet services, not to undermine any citizen's right to property.
Background of the Bill
The bill, which seeks changes to a 1996 Act and was tabled by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, was approved by the National Assembly on June 11 by a majority vote. Later, it was deferred by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication, where it was referred on June 15. Questions over the motives behind the bill had grown stronger, particularly because of the government's push to have it approved by both houses of parliament.
Following reservations raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the bill, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the government, also withheld its support, with Senator Sherry Rehman categorically stating that her party would not allow any legislation related to the information technology sector, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority or right of way to pass through the Senate unless it was thoroughly scrutinised and amended by the relevant standing committee.
The prime minister later constituted a committee to review the bill and tasked it with addressing concerns raised over some of its provisions. The committee was mandated to examine the Right of Way framework under Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A, and 27B of the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
