Govt to Review Telecom Reorganization Bill After Political Pushback Over Infrastructure Powers

The federal government has decided to review the Telecommunication Reorganization Amendment Bill 2026 after strong political pushback over proposed powers linked to telecom infrastructure installation.

The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on June 11, 2026, has faced criticism from lawmakers and on social media over provisions related to telecom infrastructure rollout, especially equipment installed above ground.

According to sources in the Ministry of IT, some legal and technical wording in the bill created confusion and led to concerns about the scope of powers being proposed under the amendments. Officials also said the penalty provisions in the bill had been presented misleadingly.

The government is now expected to reconsider the strict conditions and wording included in the draft. Sources said authorities are prepared to soften some clauses and revise language that has raised concerns among lawmakers and stakeholders.

However, the sources said no change would be made to the section dealing with the laying of underground cables. The review will mainly focus on telecom infrastructure installed above ground, including approval procedures, implementation powers, and related conditions.

The development comes after members of the Pakistan Peoples Party strongly opposed the bill during committee-level discussions. PPP lawmakers had expressed reservations over the proposed powers, while PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah also raised concerns.

The government is expected to consult the PPP’s legislative committee before moving forward with the revised draft. Fresh amendments are likely to be placed before the Senate Standing Committee on IT.

Once the revised bill is reviewed and approved by the Senate IT Committee and the Senate, it will be sent back to the National Assembly for approval.

The proposed legislation was originally aimed at removing delays in telecom infrastructure rollout, including network towers, fibre-related projects, and future connectivity facilities. The government has argued that faster infrastructure deployment is important for improving digital connectivity and preparing Pakistan for next-generation telecom services.

However, the latest pushback shows that the bill may need a more balanced approach, particularly where infrastructure installation, local permissions, property concerns, and enforcement powers are involved.

The review will determine how far the government is willing to go in granting telecom operators wider rollout powers while addressing political, legal, and public concerns over the strict conditions included in the original draft.