Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday constituted a committee to review the Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The committee will be headed by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, while the members include Senator Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, and experts related to the field of law and IT.
Committee Mandate and Scope of Review
The committee has been formed to address concerns raised against some of its provisions. It will specifically review the Right-of-Way Framework in Section 2(qb), 2(ma), Section 27A, and Section 27B of the Telecommunication Reorganisation Amendment Bill. The committee will examine the right-of-way for the establishment of telecommunication facilities and deliberate on operations related to the domain of private property and housing societies before submitting its recommendations.
Priority Review and Submission of Proposals
The premier directed the committee to review the bill on a priority basis and submit its proposals. This move aims to ensure that the bill balances the need for telecommunication infrastructure expansion with the protection of private property rights.
Clarification from IT Ministry
Earlier, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had clarified that the proposed Right of Way (ROW) Bill 2026 would not allow the forcible acquisition of private land or unauthorised entry into citizens' private properties. According to the ministry, property owners would retain the full right to raise objections, negotiate terms, and demand appropriate compensation before any work is carried out on their land. It said no telecom company would be allowed to enter private property without the owner's consent or without fulfilling all legal requirements.
