The federal government has taken back the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 from the Senate. They plan to bring a version of the bill after fixing the problems that were pointed out by lawmakers, groups that protect rights groups, and property owners.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, said that a request had been made to the Senate asking for the bill to be removed.
During the session of the Senate, Talal Chaudhry, the Minister for Interior, proposed the motion on behalf of Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The motion was accepted by the Senate.
Why was the bill withdrawn?
I think the IT Ministry said the 90‑day period set by the constitution for the bill was almost finished. If the Senate did not pass the bill within that time, the bill would have moved to a sitting of the Parliament.
I think Shaza Fatima said there was no certainty that a joint session would be held soon. That uncertainty caused the government to withdraw the bill and prepare a draft.
I think Shaza Fatima said the revised legislation would keep the objectives of the original bill. The revised legislation would also add suggestions. Solve concerns raised by different stakeholders.
I think the bill was introduced in the Senate on June 15, 2026. The bill had already been approved by the National Assembly in June with six amendments.
What made the Telecom Amendment Bill controversial?
I think the new law is meant to give telecom companies power to set up infrastructure. This includes cables, mobile towers, small cells and other equipment on both public land and private land.
I believe the bill says that government agencies should not charge fees or rent when telecom companies use land for their infrastructure.
In the system the bill proposes, if a private property owner, a housing society, a cantonment or a DHA does not reply to an application within thirty days, the permission will be automatically granted.
The bill also says that people or organisations who block telecom infrastructure work could be fined up to fifty million rupees. They will have to resolve disputes within days.
Private property rights drew strong objections
The proposed changes faced opposition from many sides. Critics said that these changes could weaken protections for private property under Article 23 of the Constitution.
The Islamabad Bar Association and digital rights groups warned that the legislation might let telecom companies enter property without proper consent.
The government’s coalition partner, the PPP, also voiced concerns about the bill in the Senate.
After the controversy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set up a committee led by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar to look into the concerns.
Officials say the revised draft will require consent from private property owners. This change addresses an objection to the original legislation.
Why is the government seeking to introduce the law?
The proposed amendments are meant to make it faster to install telecom infrastructure. Pakistan is expanding its networks and getting ready for wider 5G services. Telecom operators say that getting NOCs from cantonments, housing societies and provincial authorities can take months. These delays slow down the growth of fibre-optic networks and other essential infrastructure.
The government says legal and technical changes are necessary to remove these obstacles. According to the IT Ministry, the number of fibre internet connections in Pakistan has gone up from about 2 million to more than 5 million in the last two years. The government now wants to double that number within three years.
What comes next?
The withdrawal means the current bill will not move forward in the Senate in its form.
The government will now create a draft. This new draft will include suggestions from the committee and feedback from stakeholders. After that, it will be presented to Parliament.
The updated legislation is expected to keep parts that aim to speed up the setup of telecom infrastructure. At the same time, it will add stronger protections for private property owners.
The government’s main challenge will be to balance network development with the protection of property rights. This is important as Pakistan pushes forward with 5G and fibre connectivity.
