Senate committee reviews telecom Amendment Bill 2026

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP):The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday extensively deliberated on the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan and attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, and Sadia Abbasi, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, representatives of relevant departments, and other stakeholders.

The bill was introduced by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

The Committee was informed that the proposed amendments primarily focus on three areas: institutional reforms in line with State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) principles, expansion and facilitation of telecommunications infrastructure, and measures aimed at improving operational efficiency and transparency within the regulatory framework.

Officials informed the Committee that the proposed reforms seek to streamline procedures related to right-of-way permissions for fibre deployment, strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms, support national digital connectivity targets, and improve coordination among federal and provincial authorities.

The Committee was further informed that the amendments are intended to accelerate fibre penetration and support the expansion of internet infrastructure across the country.

Members of the Committee raised concerns regarding provisions related to the powers of the “appropriate government,” the use of discretionary language in implementation clauses, and the implications for private property rights. Senators emphasized that no individual should be compelled to permit the installation of telecommunications infrastructure without clear legal protections, mutually agreed mechanisms, and transparent dispute resolution procedures.

Members particularly questioned provisions related to access to land, the placement of telecom towers, and the interpretation of penalties associated with the denial of right of way.

Responding to these concerns, representatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication clarified that the proposed framework does not authorize the forced acquisition or occupation of private property and that the deployment of infrastructure would remain subject to mutual agreements, legal procedures, and defined dispute resolution mechanisms.

Officials stated that private ownership rights would remain protected and assured the Committee that provisions and wording creating ambiguity would be reviewed and refined.

The Ministry further informed the Committee that notice requirements, hearing procedures, and administrative review mechanisms had been incorporated to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Committee also discussed governance provisions related to institutional restructuring and appointments under the proposed framework.

Members stressed that transitional arrangements and delegated powers should remain transparent and time-bound.

After detailed deliberations, the Committee deferred further consideration of the bill and decided to continue its clause-by-clause review at the next meeting.