A committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed significant amendments to the controversial Telecom Reorganization Amendment Bill following widespread public criticism. The recommendations seek to address concerns related to privacy, private property rights, and public interest while ensuring the continued development of Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Committee Reviews Controversial Provisions
The committee was established after concerns emerged from citizens, industry stakeholders, and social media users regarding several provisions of the proposed legislation. According to sources, the panel has already held two meetings to review the bill and identify clauses that require changes.
The committee recommended amendments to several controversial sections of the draft law. These changes aim to provide clearer legal definitions and remove ambiguities that had triggered concerns about citizens’ rights and government powers.
Officials familiar with the discussions said the revised proposals focus on making the legislation more balanced and acceptable to all stakeholders, including the public, government institutions, and telecom operators.
Stronger Protection for Private Property
One of the most significant recommendations concerns the use of private property for telecom infrastructure projects. The committee proposed that telecom companies should only be allowed to install infrastructure on private land after obtaining the explicit consent of the property owner.
The recommendation addresses one of the key objections raised by critics of the bill, who argued that the original provisions could weaken property rights and grant excessive authority for infrastructure deployment.
Under the proposed amendments, property owners would retain greater control over the use of their land for telecommunications projects.
Compensation Through Mutual Agreement
The committee has also proposed a mechanism for determining compensation when telecom infrastructure is installed on private property.
According to the recommendation, compensation should be decided through mutual agreement between the property owner and the telecom company. This approach aims to ensure fairness for both parties and reduce the likelihood of disputes.
Stakeholders had previously expressed concerns that the original draft lacked sufficient safeguards regarding compensation and property usage. The proposed changes seek to address those concerns by introducing a more transparent framework.
Review of Fiberization and Infrastructure Clauses
The committee further recommended a review of provisions related to fiberization and the installation of other telecommunications infrastructure on private land.
Fiberization remains a critical component of Pakistan’s digital transformation strategy, as it supports faster internet speeds, improved connectivity, and the expansion of broadband services across the country.
However, committee members believe that infrastructure expansion should not come at the expense of citizens’ property rights. As a result, they have proposed revisiting these clauses to strike a balance between telecom sector growth and legal protections for property owners.
Compensation for Government Land Use
In addition to private property concerns, the committee also discussed telecom towers installed on government-owned land.
The panel recommended that the government should receive appropriate compensation whenever public land is used for telecom infrastructure projects. At the same time, the recommendations emphasize the need to safeguard the state’s financial interests.
Officials believe this approach could help create a fair and transparent system for managing telecom installations on government property while ensuring that public assets generate reasonable returns.
Balancing Interests of All Stakeholders
Sources said the revised draft has been prepared with the interests of the public, government, and telecommunications industry in mind.
The objective is to create a framework that supports the expansion of digital infrastructure while protecting citizens’ privacy and property rights. Policymakers also hope the amendments will reduce resistance to the bill and encourage broader acceptance among stakeholders.
The telecommunications sector plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s digital economy, and industry experts have stressed the importance of creating regulations that facilitate investment while maintaining public trust.
Final Review Before Submission to Prime Minister
The committee includes Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and other senior members. It will review the amended draft prepared by the Ministry of IT and Telecom before finalizing its recommendations.
Once the review process is complete, the committee will submit its report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for consideration.
The Telecom Reorganization Bill has remained the subject of intense debate in recent weeks, particularly on social media, where users raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and property rights. The criticism prompted the government to order a fresh review of the legislation and seek broader consensus before moving forward.