Committee Formation and Mandate
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-level committee to review the Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The committee is headed by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar and includes Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, and experts in law and IT.
The committee has been tasked with examining the bill's provisions, particularly the Right-of-Way (ROW) Framework defined in Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A, and 27B. It will also review clauses related to the establishment of telecommunication facilities and operations involving private property and housing societies. The prime minister directed the committee to prioritize the review and submit its recommendations promptly.
Legislative Background
The bill, which seeks amendments to the Telecommunication Reorganisation Act of 1996, was tabled by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and approved by the National Assembly on June 11 by a majority vote. However, it was deferred by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication on June 15 after objections from PTI senators. Senator Palwasha Khan, chairperson of the standing committee, convened a meeting on June 16 to address the concerns.
Questions over the government's motives intensified due to its push for swift approval in both houses. PTI lawmakers demanded that the proposed legislation be sent to the relevant standing committee for detailed scrutiny.
Government Clarifications on Private Property
In response to public concerns, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication clarified that the ROW Bill 2026 does not permit forcible acquisition of private land or unauthorized entry into citizens' properties. According to the ministry, property owners retain full rights to raise objections, negotiate terms, and demand appropriate compensation before any work is undertaken on their land.
The committee's review aims to address these concerns and ensure that the bill balances infrastructure development with property rights. The prime minister has emphasized a priority review to resolve the legislative deadlock.
