ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on Saturday clarified that the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026 does not permit the compulsory acquisition of private land or allow telecom operators to enter private property without the owner’s consent or due legal process.
The ministry issued the clarification amid growing discussion on social media regarding the bill’s Right of Way (ROW) provisions, with some users expressing concerns that the proposed amendments could infringe upon private property rights.
According to the ministry, the proposed ROW framework is intended to accelerate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure, improve internet connectivity and establish a transparent legal mechanism while fully protecting the constitutional rights of property owners.
The ministry stressed that telecom operators would not be allowed to force entry onto private land and that any disputes relating to access would be resolved through the appropriate government authority in accordance with the law.
It further explained that property owners would retain the right to negotiate terms, seek compensation where applicable, raise objections and discuss issues such as access routes, timing and implementation procedures.
The ministry said the reforms were particularly important ahead of the planned 5G spectrum auction, arguing that greater investment in telecommunications infrastructure was necessary to provide reliable, affordable and high-speed internet services across the country.
It also clarified that organisations installing telecom infrastructure would be required to restore affected property to its original condition and ensure that no permanent damage is caused.
Addressing concerns regarding penalties, the ministry said the fines proposed in the bill would only apply in cases where parties had already entered into contractual agreements and subsequently violated their commitments, adversely affecting investments.
The ministry maintained that Pakistan’s telecom sector has faced significant challenges due to delays in obtaining Right of Way approvals, inconsistent regulations and arbitrary fees imposed by various authorities, all of which have slowed network expansion and increased deployment costs.
Under the proposed amendments, several key terms relating to Right of Way would be redefined, while a new legal framework would govern access to public and private property for the installation, operation and maintenance of telecom infrastructure, including fibre-optic cables, towers and ICT systems.
The bill also introduces an enforcement mechanism empowering the relevant government authority to resolve disputes and impose penalties on parties found to be unlawfully obstructing approved telecom infrastructure projects.
The proposed legislation was approved by the National Assembly on June 11 and is currently under review by the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication.
