A proposed telecommunications bill has been stalled in Pakistan’s Senate after lawmakers objected to provisions they say could undermine constitutional property rights by giving telecom operators broad powers to access private land, a Pakistani lawmaker said on Friday.
Among the most contentious provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is a clause under which a property owner’s failure to respond to two official notices would be treated as “implied consent” for telecom installations. The bill would also allow authorities to override local zoning rules and regulations governing housing societies, granting telecom operators access through public and residential areas with limited scope for appeal.
Senator Palwasha Khan, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, told Arab News on Friday she has secured a 45-day extension to review the draft after lawmakers identified “serious flaws” in the draft.
“In its current form, the bill conflicts with Articles 23 and 24 of the Constitution, which protect citizens’ rights to own and use property,” Khan said, adding the legislation was already passed by the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
The dispute comes as Pakistan seeks to expand digital infrastructure in a market with more than 207 million mobile and fixed-line subscriptions and 58,423 cell sites, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26. Industry officials have long cited weak network infrastructure as a major obstacle and only 14-19 percent of telecom towers are connected to fiber networks, leaving most users dependent on mobile broadband services.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima did not respond to requests for comment. However, she recently defended the bill in remarks to a private broadcaster, saying it was intended to remove barriers to network expansion. “The intent of this law has always been to serve the public good because we sincerely believe that Internet access is a necessity today,” Fatima said, adding that her government was willing to revise provisions that had raised concerns. “Where the wording relating to above-ground installations lacks clarity, we will certainly improve it.” Critics say the draft remains “overly broad.” Khan said the legislation would impose fines of up to Rs50 million (over $175,000) for obstructing telecom infrastructure projects and could give operators excessive access rights.
“The legislation is drafted in a way that could allow private companies to classify virtually anything as telecommunications equipment and install it anywhere,” she said, adding that a person sitting in their home could receive notices, become entangled in prolonged litigation, and ultimately find that the final decision rests with a government official. Khan said officials had told the senate committee that mobile towers were excluded from the bill, but failed to explain provisions in the draft that appeared to suggest otherwise. Fatima earlier rejected perception that homeowners could face arbitrary penalties.
She said the fines would apply only where a property owner breaches an agreement after an operator has already invested in the infrastructure.
“The provision does not mean that someone can simply force their way onto private property,” Fatima said, adding that constitutional protections would remain in force. The bill, introduced during a parliamentary budget session, must now undergo clause-by-clause review by the Senate committee. Any amendments approved by the Senate would require the legislation to return to the National Assembly for another vote. Khan said it was required and she would ask for another extension of 45 days, if needed.
“We will consult experts and each and every clause of the bill be deliberated upon,” she said, adding this process should have been done before tabling the bill.
“I do not believe it can be passed in its present form.”