Telcos Must Get Property Owners Approval Under Revised Telecom Bill

Telecom operators will be required to obtain property owners’ approval before installing infrastructure on private land under the revised Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The federal government amended the proposed bill after concerns were raised over a clause that could have allowed telecom installations on private property without clear consent from the owner.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced the changes, saying the revised draft removes the earlier provision under which a property owner’s failure to respond to two official notices could have been treated as implied consent.

Under the updated bill, telecom companies must first secure permission before laying underground cables, installing overhead lines, or placing any telecom equipment on private property. The requirement will apply to homes, shops, vacant plots, agricultural land, and other privately owned spaces.

The government has also clarified key terms in the draft law, including telecom equipment, underground installations, overhead installations, and right-of-way provisions. Officials said these changes were made to remove ambiguities that had led to objections over the original wording of the bill.

The revised draft also limits the dispute resolution mechanism to cases where both parties have voluntarily entered into an agreement. This means a property owner cannot be pushed into a dispute process where no consent-based arrangement exists.

Officials clarified that the amendments will not affect telecom infrastructure installed on public land. Separate procedures will also continue to apply to housing societies and planned residential developments.

The changes are aimed at protecting private property rights while allowing telecom infrastructure expansion to continue under a clearer legal framework. The revised bill seeks to balance the needs of telecom operators with the rights of citizens as Pakistan works to improve broadband coverage, mobile connectivity, and digital infrastructure.