IT Ministry Denies Telecom Bill Allows Private Land Acquisition

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on Saturday, June 20, issued a detailed clarification over proposed amendments to the country’s telecom laws, saying the bill does not empower operators to forcibly acquire private land. The statement came after public debate intensified over right-of-way provisions linked to telecom towers, fibre cables and digital infrastructure.

The clarification relates to the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, which was moved by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and approved by the National Assembly earlier this month. The proposed legislation is now under consideration in the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication.

Concerns had grown on social media and among some stakeholders that the amendments could allow telecom companies to enter private property for infrastructure deployment without adequate consent. The ministry rejected that interpretation, saying access to individual private property would still require the owner’s permission or lawful procedure.

In its statement, the ministry said the right-of-way framework is designed to speed up telecom infrastructure deployment while protecting private property rights. It added that property owners would retain the ability to respond to requests, negotiate terms, raise objections, seek compensation where applicable and discuss issues such as route alignment, timing and access.

Officials also stressed that telecom operators cannot force their way onto private land if an objection or non-response is under review by the appropriate authority. The ministry said any organisation laying infrastructure would be required to restore affected property to its original condition and ensure that no permanent damage is caused.

The government has linked the proposed changes to Pakistan’s wider digital connectivity agenda, including improved broadband quality and future 5G-related infrastructure needs. According to the ministry, fragmented approval processes, inconsistent fees and delays in right-of-way permissions have slowed network expansion and increased the cost of service delivery for consumers.

The bill proposes changes to definitions in the 1996 telecom law and introduces a new enforcement mechanism. It distinguishes between public property, individual private property and collectively managed private developments such as housing societies, cooperative schemes and commercial estates, creating separate procedures for each category.

One of the most debated elements is a proposed enforcement section that could allow fines for obstructing or delaying lawful infrastructure access after due process. The ministry said fines would relate to cases where parties had already entered into agreements and then violated contractual terms, arguing that such actions can damage investment confidence in the telecom sector.

For Pakistan, the issue carries major public and economic significance because internet quality, mobile coverage and fibre connectivity remain persistent complaints across cities and rural areas. Faster infrastructure approval could help operators expand networks, but the law’s success will depend on whether safeguards for citizens are clearly written, transparently enforced and trusted by property owners.

The next stage will unfold in the Senate committee, where lawmakers are expected to review the bill’s language, objections and safeguards before any final approval. The ministry has said it supports a consultative legislative process, while citizens and digital rights observers are likely to keep watching how the balance between connectivity expansion and property protection is maintained.