Lead

A special committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Amendment Bill 2026 has suggested major changes to its language, according to a statement issued by the law ministry. The committee, headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, submitted its report on the right-of-way provisions in the bill.

The bill has already been approved by the National Assembly earlier this month, but controversy over its multiple clauses prompted the formation of the committee. The committee reviewed in detail the proposed amendments included in the bill as well as the existing legal framework related to right-of-way.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn, the only outlet whose coverage was reviewed, presented the story through three reports: one focusing on the special committee's review, another on the IT minister's press conference, and a third on the law minister's comments and the sub-committee formation. The first report framed the story neutrally, emphasizing the committee's role. The second report took a promotional angle, highlighting the minister's emphasis on modern technologies. The third report framed the story around the controversy and the need for right-of-way reforms.

Key Claims

  • The special committee suggested major changes to the bill's language, as reported by Dawn.
  • The bill was approved by the National Assembly on June 11, as stated in multiple Dawn reports.
  • The committee reviewed the proposed amendments and the existing legal framework related to right-of-way, according to the law ministry statement.
  • The ministry claimed the bill's key objective was to improve digital connectivity while protecting citizens' rights, noting that clarification was needed in some provisions.
  • Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja stressed the need for the proposed changes, saying the existing legal framework did not meet the demands of modern technologies such as 5G.
  • Khawaja said Pakistan witnessed a nearly 25 per cent increase in data consumption over the past two years, driven by population growth and rapid adoption of digital technologies.
  • She said spectrum availability increased from 274MHz to approximately 750MHz through the country's largest-ever spectrum auction, and the rollout of next-generation telecommunications infrastructure was underway.
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set a target of extending wired broadband internet to at least 10 million households over the next three years, as highlighted by Khawaja.
  • Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government had no intention of occupying private property or installing telecom towers without the consent of property owners.
  • The proposed amendments seek to create a clearer and more predictable framework for telecom infrastructure deployment, according to the committee's findings.

Perspectives

Government Officials

The law minister and IT minister defended the bill as essential for improving digital connectivity and supporting modern technologies like 5G. They assured that private property rights would not be violated, with the law minister stating that no telecom-related activity would occur on private premises without permission. The IT minister emphasized that the existing 1996 law was outdated and needed amendment to meet current demands.

Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom

The Senate Standing Committee raised objections to a clause allowing free installation of telecom towers in public spaces, including parks, green belts, and government buildings. Members added that mixing optic fibre and telecom towers in one clause was not technically correct, contributing to the controversy and prompting the formation of the review committee.

Telecom Stakeholders

Telecom stakeholders insisted that reforms are essential for connectivity, as reported by Dawn. They hoped that parliament would 'refine' the proposed legislation, expressing support for the bill's goal of creating a clearer and more predictable framework for infrastructure deployment.