Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee to review the Telecom Amendment Bill after lawmakers raised concerns over right-of-way provisions linked to telecom facilities and private property.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar will head the review body, Radio Pakistan reported. The committee includes Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema.
Attorney General Mansoor Awan, legal experts and IT experts will also serve on the committee. The prime minister directed the body to review the bill with priority.
The National Assembly approved the Telecommunication Reorganisation Amendment Bill by a majority vote on June 11 after Khawaja tabled it. The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication later deferred the bill after receiving it on June 15.
Senator Palwasha Khan, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, convened a meeting on June 16. The committee will review the right-of-way framework in Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A and 27B of the bill.
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The review will cover telecom right-of-way rules, private property, housing societies and related operations before recommendations are submitted.
Section 27B has drawn criticism because it proposes fines of up to Rs50 million against property owners, tenants, landlords or institutions that refuse or obstruct access to the right-of-way for telecom infrastructure.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication said the proposed ROW Bill 2026 would not allow forcible land acquisition or unauthorised entry into private property. It said property owners would retain the right to object, negotiate terms and seek compensation before work begins on their land.
