The “Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026″, which is approved by the National Assembly, increases the scope of access to both government and private land for tower and fibre optic networks, but members of the senate committee have raised strong concerns regarding “appropriate government” rights and private properties.
The introduction of enforcement mechanisms for the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan is about to receive a new and potent weapon, which has property owners as well as lawmakers in the Senate’s committees on their toes. The bill titled “Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026” was introduced in the Senate by the federal government, under which a fine worth up to Rs50 million could be imposed.
How the Bill Got to the Senate
The Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, recommended that the bill be presented in the budget session of the Senate. And upon the permission of the chairman of the Senate, Yousaf Raza Gilani, the bill was sent to the concerned committee.
What does the Rs50 million fine seek to address?
The amendment introduces Section 27B in the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Act, 1996, empowering the “appropriate government” to levy a fine not exceeding Rs50 million on “owner[s], lessee[s], tenant[s] or such other persons” who obstruct or delay in allowing right of way. This provision applies practically to all individuals and organizations that do not permit laying down of fiber optic cables or installation of telecom towers.
Why the proponents feel the penalty is necessary
Those proponents who are supporting the passing of the bill consider this action to be necessary because the proposed policy aims to address any problems arising from administrative and logistical issues that have previously hindered the implementation of the telecommunications project. In particular, the law deals with the issue of right-of-way fees, which have been the biggest roadblock to implementing the fiber optics in Pakistan, and its proponents believe that the elimination of such fees nationwide eliminates one of the main reasons why the fiber optic project has not been fully implemented.
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Senate committee objects to ambiguity in powers
The journey of the proposed legislation through the Senate has been rough. Senators belonging to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, which is headed by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, objected to the powers given to the “appropriate government,” as well as the ambiguities found within clauses pertaining to implementation, along with the potential impact on private property rights. The senators contended that no person can be forced to allow installation of telecommunications equipment in the absence of a guarantee of legal protection and mutual agreement.
In answer to such worries, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication explained that the framework in question does not grant any power to take over private properties by force, nor will the installation of infrastructure be based on any agreement reached or disputes resolved in a legal manner.
Bill that has been previously delayed
It was not the first time that the committee attempted this legislation. Previous deliberations by a Senate committee on the bill caused delay due to land tenure issues where lawmakers were again posing queries on the appropriate definition of government and discretionary clauses. The Ministry representatives during that time viewed the bill in light of institutional reforms based on state-owned enterprises along with other measures such as right-of-way and dispute resolution among others.
Following the submission of the bill by the Senator to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, the bill is being discussed currently under the Chairmanship of Palwasha Khan. The Telecom Amendment Bill 2026 is very likely to become an act because it has already been passed by the National Assembly and the process of its passing through the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications is almost complete.
Nayab Fatima is a media professional specializing in fact-based journalism, research, and analytical reporting on technology, telecom, aviation, and automobiles.
