Govt Moves To Withdraw Controversial Telecom Bill

The Pakistani government has announced its decision to withdraw the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, citing the bill's failure to achieve its intended goals, especially concerning the Right of Way challenges faced by the telecom sector. The withdrawal process will be overseen by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who will seek Senate approval.

The bill, introduced on June 15, 2026, aimed to overhaul the Right of Way framework stipulated by the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996. It introduced separate mechanisms for dealing with independent private property, common development property, and public property. However, a significant issue arose when telecom operators sought Right of Way across independent private property.

The bill required operators to secure written consent from property owners and agree on terms, or face restrictions on exercising the Right of Way. For common development and public property, a time-bound approval process was proposed, with a 30-day response window for property managers and public authorities. The bill also included provisions for free underground Right of Way on common development and public property, exemption from fees for certain temporary and specified telecom installations, and measures to prevent interference after Right of Way had been granted.

Enforcement measures were outlined for deliberate obstruction, with disputes to be resolved by a designated district officer within 45 days, with the option for appeal to a relevant tribunal. The government reviewed the bill's amendments and concluded that the bill was not delivering the desired regulatory outcomes. This decision is crucial for telecom operators, as Right of Way remains a significant barrier to deploying fiber, mobile infrastructure, small cells, and other digital connectivity networks.