Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced today that the government is seeking to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act of 1996 to better support modern 5G technology and digital infrastructure. The proposed 2026 amendment bill, which previously faced public controversy, is being refined by a special committee to address concerns regarding private property rights and regulatory barriers.
Did You Know? The country has seen a significant shift in infrastructure capacity, with spectrum availability increasing from 274MHz to approximately 750MHz through the country’s largest-ever spectrum auction.
Why the government is updating the 1996 Act
Minister Khawaja stated that the existing legal framework is insufficient for current demands, noting it was enacted during the 2G era. According to the IT ministry, data consumption has risen by nearly 25 percent over the last two years, fueled by population growth and the rapid adoption of digital tools. The government’s goal is to facilitate investment in fibre-optic networks and telecom towers to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s target of extending wired broadband to at least 10m households over the next three years. As of 2024, only 3m households had fibre-based connections, a figure that has since grown to more than 5m.
Addressing public concerns over land rights
The proposed legislation sparked public debate over fears that it would allow for the forced occupation of private land. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that the bill does not authorize the seizure of property. “The consent of property owners will remain mandatory before laying fibre-optic cables through private land,” Tarar said. He explained that the legislative changes are intended to resolve infrastructure deployment issues with housing societies that create obstacles after initially entering into agreements.
Expert Insight: The friction between rapid infrastructure rollout and private property rights highlights the challenges of modernizing national utility networks. While the government emphasizes that consent remains a legal requirement, the success of the household connectivity target will likely hinge on how effectively the committee balances these legal protections with the need for streamlined Right of Way (ROW) procedures.
What happens next for the bill
The National Assembly passed the bill on June 11, but the current special committee is now tasked with finalizing language to address the controversies surrounding its clauses. Regarding personal allegations of financial misconduct, Minister Khawaja stated she has requested a formal inquiry from the Prime Minister. She pledged to accept responsibility if wrongdoing is found, but reserved her legal right to pursue action if the claims are proven baseless. Law Minister Tarar confirmed that the parliamentary committee found no evidence of intent to favor any individual through the legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026?
The bill aims to update the 1996 Act to facilitate investment in digital infrastructure, remove regulatory barriers, and expand high-speed internet access to meet the demands of 5G and next-generation technology.
Will the new law allow the government to take over private land?
No. According to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the consent of property owners remains mandatory for laying fibre-optic cables on private land, and citizens retain the legal right to refuse infrastructure on their property.
How many households does the government aim to connect to broadband?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set a target to extend wired broadband internet to at least 10m households over the next three years.
How do you believe the government should balance the need for national digital expansion with the protection of individual property rights?
