The Senate has raised concerns over the recently approved Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, with lawmakers warning that certain provisions could undermine private property rights.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on June 11, has now been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication for further review.
Several senators expressed reservations about clauses that could expand the powers of both the government and telecom operators to access privately owned land for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile towers and fiber-optic networks.
During a committee meeting, members highlighted concerns regarding provisions that would allow infrastructure projects to proceed after providing landowners with only 15 days’ notice. Critics argue that such measures may limit the rights of property owners and require closer examination before becoming law.
Committee Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan emphasized that the proposed legislation could have significant implications for landowners. She stated that the bill appeared to have been finalized without adequate stakeholder consultation and noted that similar concerns had previously been communicated to the Ministry of Information Technology.
According to Senator Khan, the committee will conduct a detailed clause-by-clause review of the legislation, including provisions related to penalties and Article 27A, to ensure that citizens’ rights are adequately protected.
As a result of the concerns raised, further deliberations on the bill have been postponed while lawmakers assess its potential impact on private property rights and telecommunications development.
The committee is expected to recommend amendments before the legislation is sent back to the National Assembly for final approval.
The ongoing debate highlights the challenge of balancing Pakistan’s growing need for digital infrastructure expansion with the protection of constitutional property rights and individual ownership interests.
