ISLAMABAD: The federal government has rejected allegations that the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was drafted to provide undue benefits to any individual or private company, describing the claims as baseless.
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja defended the proposed legislation and said the government remained committed to transparency and accountability.
Law Minister Rejects Allegations
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar dismissed accusations that the bill was designed to benefit specific individuals or companies or that it would financially favour the IT minister or the IT secretary.
He said a parliamentary committee had reviewed the matter and found no evidence to support such allegations. According to Tarar, the National Assembly passed the bill with six amendments, reflecting lawmakers’ input during the legislative process.
The minister explained that the legislation primarily seeks to address practical challenges faced in expanding Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure, particularly where housing societies enter into agreements but later create obstacles to the installation of telecom facilities.
Property Owners’ Consent Will Remain Mandatory
Responding to concerns over the bill’s Right of Way (ROW) provisions, Tarar clarified that the law does not permit telecom operators to enter or use private property without the owner’s consent.
He stressed that obtaining the permission of property owners would remain a legal requirement before laying fibre-optic cables or installing telecommunications infrastructure on private land.
The law minister further emphasised that no citizen could be compelled to allow telecom infrastructure on their property against their will, adding that the proposed amendments do not authorise the forced occupation or acquisition of privately owned land.
Bill Drew Scrutiny in Parliament
The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was passed by the National Assembly on June 11 but later attracted criticism after being referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology.
Several lawmakers expressed concerns over the bill’s Right of Way provisions, prompting public debate and media scrutiny regarding their potential impact on private property rights.
In response, the Ministry of Information Technology clarified that the legislation does not grant telecom companies unrestricted access to private property and does not override existing legal protections for landowners.
Prime Minister Orders Review
Following public concerns, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a high-level committee to examine the proposed legislation and review the issues raised during parliamentary discussions and public debate.
The committee is expected to evaluate the bill and address any legal or procedural concerns before further progress is made.
IT Minister Seeks Formal Inquiry
Speaking at the press conference, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said she had personally requested the prime minister to order a formal inquiry into allegations concerning her and the IT secretary’s financial integrity.
She stated that she was prepared to accept full responsibility if any wrongdoing was established during the investigation and would abide by whatever decision the prime minister reached.
However, the minister added that if the inquiry concluded that the allegations were unfounded, both she and the IT secretary reserved the right to pursue legal action against those responsible, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws, after seeking legal advice.
She reiterated that the government remains committed to transparency, accountability and protecting the public interest while expanding Pakistan’s digital and telecommunications infrastructure.
