IT ministry clarifies proposed telecom law amendments do not mandate 'acquisition of private land'

The IT ministry on Saturday clarified that a bill seeking amendments to telecommunication laws does not propose compulsory acquisition of private land. The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks changes to a 1996 act and was tabled by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, was approved by the National Assembly on June 11 by a majority vote. It is currently pending before the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication, where it was referred on June 15. The proposed changes have been the subject of discussion on social media, with some users voicing concerns over provisions relating to the use of private property for infrastructure such as telecom towers. In a detailed statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said the Right of Way (ROW) provisions in the bill “do not permit telecom operators to enter individual private property without the owner’s permission or due legal process, and do not authorise compulsory acquisition of private land”. It stressed that the ROW provisions are “designed to accelerate telecom infrastructure deployment, improve connectivity for citizens, and establish a transparent legal framework while fully safeguarding private property rights”. “Especially considering the [5G] spectrum auction, it is imperative to have investment in infrastructure to ensure reliable, affordable, high-speed connectivity for our people,” it contended. “Property owners retain the right to respond, negotiate terms, seek compensation where applicable, raise objections, and agree matters such as route alignment, timing and access,” the ministry said. However, when a property owner does not respond despite reminders, the matter will be referred to the appropriate government authority for resolution, while upholding the constitutional and legal rights of private citizens, the ministry said. “During this process, telecom operators cannot force entry onto private land while the matter remains under review. The proposed amendm