PM Receives Telecom Bill Review With Major Safeguard Recommendations

A committee formed by the Prime Minister to review the Right of Way (RoW) provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill 2026 has submitted its interim report, recommending several safeguards to protect citizens’ rights while supporting the expansion of digital infrastructure across the country.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Tuesday, the committee carried out a detailed review of both the proposed amendments and the existing legal framework governing Right of Way.

After a series of meetings, it concluded that although the bill is intended to improve digital connectivity, several provisions require clearer wording to eliminate ambiguities and provide greater legal certainty.

The report emphasizes that the consent of property owners and mutual agreement will remain mandatory in all cases involving private property. It states that no individual, company, or other entity will be permitted to access or use privately owned land, buildings, or other assets without the owner’s explicit consent.

The committee also recommended that the legislation clearly define its applicability to public institutions, federal and provincial governments, local authorities, regulated private housing schemes, and cooperative housing societies.

In addition, the report calls for explicit legal definitions of private land, private property, individuals, companies, cooperative societies, and other forms of joint ownership. It also recommends maintaining a clear distinction between above-ground and underground telecom infrastructure, Right of Way arrangements, and related equipment, with separate procedures for each category.

Under the proposed framework, disputes between licensed telecom operators and public bodies or housing societies would be referred to the relevant government authority, which would be required to issue a decision within 45 days.

The committee further recommended establishing clear criteria for governments to assess public interest, necessity, proportionality, and compensation in Right of Way cases. Individuals affected by government decisions would retain the right to appeal before the Pakistan Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal, whose ruling would be final.

According to the ministry, the committee reached consensus on the broad policy principles, and a revised draft of the bill is expected to be finalized within a week. It reiterated that while the government remains committed to expanding telecommunications and information technology, it will not compromise on citizens’ constitutional and legal rights, including private property rights, consent, fair compensation, and due legal protection.