IT Ministry clarifies ‘RoW’ rules in telecom amendment bill 2026

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has explained the purpose of the Right of Way (ROW) rules included in the Pakistan Telecommunication Amendment Bill, 2026.

It said the main aim is to speed up the building of telecom infrastructure so that people can get better internet and stronger connectivity across the country.

The Ministry also said this will help create a clear and transparent legal system while protecting the rights of property owners.

The Ministry explained that these rules do not allow telecom companies to enter private property without permission or proper legal process. They also do not allow any forced takeover of land.

Property owners will keep full rights to give or refuse permission, negotiate terms, raise objections, and discuss issues like route planning, timing, and access.

The “deemed appropriate” clause will not be used for individual homes or personal properties and will only apply to shared private developments and public properties.

It was also stated that if a property owner does not respond after repeated contact, the case will be sent to the relevant government authority for a legal decision.

During this process, companies will not be allowed to enter the land without approval, and no forced action against private property will take place.

The Ministry added that companies must restore any affected property to its original condition after work is completed. They must also ensure that no permanent damage is caused during installation or construction work.

According to the Ministry, poor internet quality in Pakistan is mainly due to slow infrastructure development. This has happened because the Right of Way process is often complicated, fees are not consistent, and approvals take too long. These problems have increased costs and slowed down network expansion.

The new amendments aim to fix these issues by creating a simple and clear system for public land, planned private developments like housing societies, and individual property, while still protecting citizens’ rights.

The Ministry also said that the proposal has already been reviewed by the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication, where members from different political parties studied its purpose and safeguards. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate Standing Committee after approval from the National Assembly.

The Ministry said it remains committed to a transparent and inclusive law making process. It added that the goal of these reforms is to support digital growth, attract investment in telecom infrastructure, and improve services for users across Pakistan.

Ultimately, the aim is to remove delays in network development so people can get faster, more reliable, and better internet services nationwide.