Lahore: National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC) hosted its first-ever workshop on Right-of-Way (ROW) Issues in Transmission Infrastructure in LUMS Lahore.
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The event brought together legal experts, development partners and power sector stakeholders to chart a path toward a modern legal and operational framework for resolving land access challenges that continue to affect the reliable and timely delivery of Pakistan’s power transmission network.
ROW constraints, particularly the legal and practical challenges of securing land access for transmission lines and related infrastructure remain one of the most persistent barriers to grid expansion in Pakistan.
Delays in land acquisition directly lead to cost overruns, reduced grid reliability, and slower delivery of affordable power to communities nationwide.
This workshop represents a concrete step toward addressing these challenges.
At NGC, ROW issues are the largest obstacle to timely project delivery, which is why the organization is taking the lead in convening experts to develop fair and efficient solutions that can accelerate progress for the benefit of all Pakistanis.
The session was opened by Ms. Maria Rafique, Chief Law Officer of NGC, who outlined the workshop’s objectives and framed the day as the beginning of a sustained, structured effort to build a governance model fit for Pakistan’s growing transmission needs.
In his keynote address, Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chairman of the NGC Board, set the tone for the discussions that followed. “Century-old legal frameworks require corrective measures,” he said.
“We need to move from a reactive posture to a proactive one anticipating challenges, modernizing our tools, and building frameworks that serve today’s development needs.”
A recurring theme throughout the day was the urgent need to reform the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) of 1894 colonial-era legislation that continues to govern land acquisition in Pakistan despite being fundamentally misaligned with current infrastructure realities.
Mr. Irfan Ali, Chairman of the CPPA-G Board and Guest of Honor, emphasized that fair and equitable treatment of landowners is not just a legal obligation but a practical imperative.
“An approach grounded in fairness reduces grievances, minimizes litigation, and keeps projects on track,” he said. “Reform of the LAA is overdue.”
NGC’s Legal Consultant, Dr. Daud Munir, delivered a detailed presentation on the existing regulatory landscape, highlighting gaps between the current legal framework and operational needs, and proposing the key elements of a modern ROW framework for large-scale transmission development.
Drawing on international examples, Dr Munir noted that a modern framework that balances public interest with private citizen rights is not only more just and people-centric, but also supports the government’s developmental goals through more efficient project delivery.
Participants, drawn from all power distribution companies (DISCOs), EPC contractors, Deputy Commissioner Office Lahore, Environmental Protection Agency, World Bank and CPPA-G, shared field-level experiences and engaged in structured dialogue on the practical obstacles, legal risks and procedural reforms needed to accelerate project delivery.
In his closing remarks, Engr. Altaf Hussain Malik, Managing Director NGC, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to both legislative advocacy and internal improvement.
“The laws governing land acquisition are outdated and must be replaced,” he said. “But legal reform alone is not sufficient.
We must also strengthen our own internal processes on how we plan, communicate and engage with communities and landowners so that we are ready to operate effectively under any framework.