The assessment committee proposes a revision of controversial provisions of the Telecommunications Act, maintains property rights

A committee appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the controversial Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has proposed sweeping changes to the law, barring any access or use of private property without the owner’s consent and calling for clearer wording in several provisions to remove ambiguity.

The development comes a week after the prime minister formed the committee following strong criticism from both government allies and opposition lawmakers, who demanded a thorough examination of the bill and changes to its contentious clauses.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Wednesday, the committee reviewing the bill’s right-of-way provisions issued its preliminary report after conducting a detailed review of the proposed changes and the existing legal framework for right-of-way.

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The committee concluded that the primary purpose of the legislation was to improve digital connectivity across the country while safeguarding citizens’ rights, but noted that several provisions require further clarification.

“Certain provisions required further clarification to remove any ambiguity,” the statement said.

In relation to concerns regarding private property, the report stated that owner consent and a mutually agreed arrangement would remain a basic requirement in all such matters.

“No action involving access to or use of the land, building, property or assets of any private person or private legal entity would be taken without the consent of the owner and a mutual agreement,” it added.

The Committee recommended that the Act clearly specify its applicability to land, buildings, properties and assets owned, managed or controlled by public institutions as well as federal, provincial and local governments. It also proposed to explicitly extend the framework to include regulated private housing schemes, co-operative housing associations and similar entities.

The report further recommended that definitions relating to private land, private property, private individuals, companies, cooperatives and other forms of joint ownership be clearly incorporated into legislation to avoid misunderstandings.

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According to the press release, a clear distinction will be maintained between telecommunications infrastructure located above and below ground, right-of-way arrangements and related equipment, with separate procedures prescribed for each category.

The Committee also proposed a mechanism for the resolution of disputes involving authorized operators and public institutions, housing schemes, co-operative housing associations or similar entities. According to the proposal, such disputes would be referred to the relevant government, which would be required to decide the matter within 45 days in accordance with the law.

It further recommended that clear principles be established to guide the relevant government in assessing the necessity and appropriateness of any proposal, its public interest and the compensation to be paid.

The report said that any person affected by a decision taken by the appropriate government should have the right of appeal to the Telecommunications Appellate Tribunal established under Section 7A of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996, where the decision of the tribunal is final.

The committee also recommended a revision of the overall clause to ensure consistency between the language and purpose of the law and to remove any ambiguity about citizens’ rights.

In addition, it proposed to revise the penalty prescribed in section 27B(1) and align it with the wider objectives, structure and provisions of the legislation.

According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the committee had reached a consensus on the overall principles, political goals and necessary changes. A draft of the proposed amendments to the Pakistan Telecommunications Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will be finalized within a week and submitted for further consideration and directions.

The ministry said the government remains committed to promoting the growth of the telecommunications and information technology sectors while ensuring full protection of citizens’ constitutional and legal rights.

It emphasized that the principles of private property rights, owner consent, right to object, legal guarantees and compensation would not have been compromised.

The ministry added that the purpose of the Weather Reform was to provide the public with better, more reliable and faster internet services, not to undermine any citizen’s right to property.

The bill, which seeks amendments to a 1996 law and was tabled by IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, was approved by the National Assembly on June 11 by a majority vote. It was later postponed by the Senate’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, where it was referred on 15 June.

Questions about the motives behind the bill had grown stronger, particularly because of the government’s push to get it approved by both houses of parliament.

Following reservations raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the bill, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the government, also withheld its support and Senator Sherry Rehman categorically stated that her party would not allow any legislation related to the information technology sector, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority or right of way to be scrutinized by the Senator. the relevant standing committee.

The prime minister later set up a committee to review the bill and tasked it with addressing concerns raised about some of its provisions. The Committee was mandated to examine the framework for right of way under Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A and 27B of the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications had also clarified that the proposed law on traffic rights 2026 would not allow forcible acquisition of private land or unauthorized entry into citizens’ private properties. According to the ministry, property owners will retain full rights to object, negotiate terms and demand appropriate compensation before work is carried out on their land.