Committee submits report on Right of Way provisions in Telecoms Amendment Bill

A committee constituted by the Prime Minister to review the Right of Way (RoW) provisions in the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has submitted its interim report, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced on Tuesday

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jun, 2026) A committee constituted by the Prime Minister to review the Right of Way (RoW) provisions in the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has submitted its interim report, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the committee conducted a detailed review of the proposed amendments and the existing legal framework governing Right of Way. After extensive deliberations, it concluded that the bill aims to improve digital connectivity nationwide while protecting citizens' rights, though certain provisions require clearer drafting to remove ambiguity.

The committee emphasized that owner consent and mutual agreement must remain mandatory requirements in matters involving private property. It recommended that no access to or use of private land, buildings, properties, or assets be permitted without the owner's consent.

The report further proposed that the law's scope be explicitly limited to properties and assets owned or administered by public bodies, Federal and provincial governments, local governments, regulated private housing schemes, cooperative housing societies, and similar entities.

To prevent legal uncertainty, the committee recommended clearly defining terms such as private land, private property, private persons, companies, cooperative societies, and joint ownership arrangements.

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The report also called for separate procedures governing above-ground and underground telecommunications infrastructure and related Right of Way matters.

In case of disputes between telecom licensees and public authorities or housing schemes, the matter should be referred to the Appropriate Government for a decision within 45 days. Any aggrieved party would have the right to appeal before the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal, whose decision would be final.

The committee additionally recommended revisiting the bill's overriding clause and reviewing proposed penalties under Section 27B(1) to ensure consistency with the law's objectives.

The Ministry of Law and Justice stated that a revised draft of the proposed amendments will be finalized within one week and submitted for further consideration. It reiterated that while the government remains committed to expanding telecommunications and IT infrastructure, there will be no compromise on private property rights, owner consent, legal safeguards, the right to object, and fair compensation.

The ministry said the reforms are intended to facilitate improved and reliable high-speed internet services without adversely affecting citizens' proprietary rights.