Govt Moves To Withdraw Controversial Telecom Bill

After concluding that the proposed changes failed to achieve their intended objectives, particularly in addressing long standing Right of Way matters faced by the telecom sector, the administration has decided to withdraw the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Key points

• Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja is projected to seek the Senate's approval to withdraw the bill under Rule 115.
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• A major point of contention involved telecom licensees seeking Right of Way throughout independent private property.

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja is projected to seek the Senate's approval to withdraw the bill under Rule 115. The bill was introduced in the Senate on June 15, 2026.

For context, the proposed legislation sought to overhaul the Right of Way framework under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996, by establishing separate mechanisms for independent private property, common development property and public property. Obtain Ready for Another Electricity Rate Growth Thanks to Fuel Adjustment.

Notably, a major point of contention involved telecom licensees seeking Right of Way throughout independent private property. The proposed rules required operators to obtain written consent from property owners and agree on the terms before using the property. If no agreement was reached, the licensee would not have been allowed to exercise the Right of Way.

For common development and public property, the bill proposed time bound procedures for approvals. After which unresolved cases could be referred to the administration for a decision within 45 days, property managers and public authorities would have 30 days to respond.

While certain temporary and specified telecom installations could have been exempt from fees under federal administration rules, the proposed amendments additionally included provisions for free underground Right of Way on common development and public property. The bill additionally sought to prevent unreasonable interference after Right of Way had been lawfully granted.

While disputes would have been handled by a designated district officer within 45 days, with an appeal available before the relevant tribunal, the legislation included enforcement measures for deliberate obstruction of telecom operators.

Meanwhile, the administration afterwards reviewed the proposed amendments and concluded that the bill in its existing form was not delivering the required policy and regulatory outcomes. As Right of Way remains a major obstacle to the deployment of fiber, mobile infrastructure, small cells and other digital connectivity networks, the decision to withdraw it is significant for telecom operators. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around govt Moves To Withdraw Controversial Telecom Bill point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.