Legislative Overhaul Targets 5G Readiness
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is moving to rewrite the 1996 Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act. Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja confirmed that the proposed 2026 amendments are designed to close regulatory gaps currently stifling the expansion of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic networks.
The current framework, a relic of the 2G era, struggles to manage the modern surge in connectivity. According to Minister Khawaja, data consumption has spiked by nearly 25 per cent over the last two years alone. To meet this demand, the government intends to accelerate the deployment of cell towers and fiber-optic infrastructure.
Ambitious Targets for Fiber Connectivity
The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026 cleared the National Assembly on June 11, signaling a push to attract private investment. The state’s data shows fiber-based connections climbed from 3m to over 5m since 2024. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now set a target: extending wired broadband internet to at least 10m households over the next three years.
Clarifying Private Property Protections
The legislative push sparked public outcry over fears that the state might forcibly occupy private land to build infrastructure. In response, a special parliamentary committee was established to scrutinize the bill’s language. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved to quell these concerns during a joint press conference, flatly denying that the state would seize private property.
"The consent of property owners will remain mandatory before laying fibre-optic cables through private land," Tarar stated. He emphasized that the amendments focus on housing societies that have historically blocked infrastructure development despite having signed prior agreements.
Ministerial Inquiry into Integrity Allegations
Minister Khawaja also addressed claims of financial misconduct leveled against her and the IT secretary. She has formally requested that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launch an inquiry to settle the matter.
"I will fully accept responsibility if any wrongdoing is established through the investigation," Khawaja said. She added that if the accusations prove groundless, she and the IT secretary reserve the right to pursue legal action. Law Minister Tarar dismissed the allegations as baseless, maintaining that the bill is strictly a tool for national connectivity.
Removing Barriers to Spectrum Expansion
While the government has successfully increased available spectrum from 274MHz to approximately 750MHz, the Ministry views current "Right of Way" (ROW) regulations as a bottleneck. By simplifying these procedures, officials hope to ensure telecom operators can deploy modern services with greater efficiency.
Key Facts on the Proposed Changes:
- Primary Objective: Align the 1996 Act with 5G and next-generation connectivity requirements.
- Property Rights: The government maintains that landowner consent remains a legal requirement for infrastructure installations.
- Current Progress: Fiber-optic connections have increased from 3m to 5m households since 2024.
- Legislative Status: The bill passed the National Assembly on June 11, with six amendments.
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