Ministry of IT Revises Telecom Amendment Bill 2026 Following Senate and Public Concerns

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has started work on revising the controversial Telecom Amendment Bill 2026, incorporating recommendations made by the committee formed by the Prime Minister to review the legislation.

According to sources within the Ministry of IT, the revised draft aims to address legal ambiguities and public concerns, particularly over clauses dealing with private property rights and the Right of Way (RoW) framework for telecom infrastructure deployment.

The bill had previously faced strong resistance from members of the Senate Standing Committee on IT, preventing it from moving forward in Parliament.

PM’s Committee Recommendations to Shape New Draft

Sources said the Ministry of IT will now propose amendments based on the recommendations submitted by the Prime Minister’s review committee.

The committee was tasked with examining the bill’s controversial Right of Way provisions after lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and citizens raised concerns that certain clauses could potentially allow telecom operators to access private property without adequate legal safeguards.

One of the committee’s key recommendations is that access to or use of private property should only be permitted with the explicit consent of the property owner and through mutual agreement between both parties.

The committee also recommended greater legal clarity in provisions relating to:

• Public and private properties
• Right of Way permissions
• Compensation mechanisms
• Appeal procedures for affected parties

These changes are intended to eliminate legal uncertainty while ensuring that telecom infrastructure expansion does not undermine citizens’ property rights.

Senate IT Committee Had Raised Strong Objections

The Telecom Amendment Bill 2026 was unable to secure approval after members of the Senate Standing Committee on IT expressed serious reservations over several provisions.

Lawmakers were particularly critical of clauses relating to private property, arguing that the language required clearer legal protections and stronger safeguards for citizens.

The committee’s opposition effectively stalled the bill, prompting the government to establish a high-level review committee to reassess the disputed provisions.

Revised Bill to Return to Parliament

Once the Ministry of IT completes the revised draft, the amended Telecom Amendment Bill 2026 will be presented once again before the Senate Standing Committee on IT for review.

If approved by the Senate, the legislation will then be sent back to the National Assembly for final parliamentary approval before it can become law.

Public Criticism Prompted Government Review

Beyond parliamentary opposition, the proposed legislation also attracted widespread criticism on social media, where legal experts, digital rights advocates, and members of the public questioned provisions relating to private property access.

Officials say the ongoing revisions are intended to remove legal ambiguities and incorporate safeguards that reflect both parliamentary recommendations and citizens’ concerns.

The revised draft is expected to provide a clearer legal framework that balances Pakistan’s growing need for telecom infrastructure with constitutional protections for property owners.