Property Owner Consent Vital for Telecom Network Deployment, Says Pakistan Law Minister

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has clarified that the installation of telecommunications infrastructure on private property will strictly require the explicit consent of the owner. The announcement aims to address public and parliamentary concerns surrounding the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad on Sunday alongside Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Tarar confirmed that a government review committee had unanimously agreed to amend the draft legislation.

Key Safeguards in the Revised Telecom Bill

The revised legislation introduces a clearer framework to expand the nation’s digital connectivity while legally protecting citizens’ property rights:

• Mandatory Consent: The updated bill explicitly states that no fiber-optic cables or telecom towers can be installed over or under private land—including houses, shops, vacant plots, and agricultural property—without the owner’s prior permission.
• Clearer Definitions: The draft eliminates previous ambiguities by clearly defining key terms such as “right-of-way,” “above-ground and underground infrastructure,” and the “installation of telecommunications equipment”.
• Dispute Resolution: Enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms will only apply if a property owner voluntarily enters into an agreement, receives compensation, and then disrupts the arrangement during the active contract period.
• Public vs. Private Land: While private property is protected under the new guidelines, the government will continue to facilitate telecom deployment on state-owned land, with separate right-of-way procedures designated for housing societies.

Modernizing Pakistan’s Digital Infrastructure

IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized that amending the original 1996 telecommunications act is critical to support the nationwide rollout of 5G services and next-generation connectivity.

• The primary objective of the right-of-way reform is to accelerate high-speed internet expansion across Pakistan through transparent, consensus-based lawmaking.
• The government has set a target to expand fixed broadband connections from the current 5 million to 10 million homes over the next three years.
• Khawaja rejected allegations that the bill was designed to allow forced land occupation or to financially benefit specific telecom companies, confirming she has requested the Prime Minister to order an inquiry into the claims.

The amended draft bill will now be forwarded to the Senate Standing Committee for further review and debate before proceeding to final parliamentary and presidential approval.