Government Revises Controversial Telecom Amendment Bill, Prepares New Draft

Islamabad: The federal government has revised the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication Amendment Bill following strong public and political objections, and has prepared a new draft aimed at addressing concerns related to private property rights and telecom infrastructure development.

According to media reports, several clauses in the previous draft had sparked criticism over provisions that could allow telecommunications installations and fiberization projects on private properties. In response, the government conducted a comprehensive review and introduced a revised version of the bill.

The new draft includes alternative proposals and legal safeguards to ensure the protection of citizens’ private property rights. Authorities have also reconsidered a proposal that would have granted free right-of-way access on government land for telecom infrastructure projects.

Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee, Federal Minister for Law and Justice **Azam Nazeer Tarar** emphasized that the bill is not controversial and contains clear protections for private property owners. He assured lawmakers and the public that no telecommunications tower or related installation would be placed on private land without the prior consent and final approval of the property owner.

The minister stated that concerns and ambiguities raised regarding certain provisions of the bill are being addressed through consultations with all relevant stakeholders. He noted that objections and debate are a normal part of the legislative process and help improve the quality of laws.

Tarar further said that additional legal clarifications would be incorporated into the disputed clauses to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation in the future.

The government maintains that the revised legislation seeks to balance the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure with the constitutional protection of private property rights, ensuring that citizens’ interests remain fully safeguarded.