ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday demanded the removal of Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja over the controversial telecommunication bill, while also seeking representation in the inquiry committee formed to investigate the matter to ensure transparency and impartiality.
The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, which proposes amendments to the 1996 law and was introduced by the IT minister, was approved by the National Assembly (NA) on June 11 through a majority vote. The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication after being referred to it on June 15.
The proposed amendments have triggered debate on social media, with users expressing concerns over provisions related to the use of private property for telecom infrastructure, including the installation of mobile phone towers.
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmad Yousufzai said the bill, which was presented in the Senate for final approval after being cleared by the cabinet and the National Assembly, was halted due to the “timely intervention” of the Senate committee chairperson, who raised objections over what he called “anti-people legislation”.
He claimed that the proposed law would allow telecom operators to install cellphone towers on private properties across Pakistan.
“The private owner of the property would have no right to object, and if the owner refused to comply, a fine of Rs50 million could have been imposed regardless of the value of the property,” he alleged.
Yousufzai said TTAP opposed the bill, calling it a “draconian law” that violated citizens’ fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. He alleged that the legislation restricted property rights and interfered with citizens’ privacy.
The TTAP spokesperson further claimed that the bill was prepared and passed by the National Assembly without the required meaningful consultation despite its importance.
He alleged that the IT minister had acknowledged a mistake in moving forward with the bill without proper scrutiny, saying the development reflected “incompetence, unprofessionalism and total indifference” towards issues affecting the public.
Yousufzai also claimed that some journalists had raised concerns about possible corruption linked to the matter, adding that the issue could not be ignored.
“TTAP therefore demands that the prime minister should immediately remove the IT minister,” he said.
He also criticised the government’s decision to form an inquiry committee, saying it was itself an admission of flaws in the legislative process. He pointed out that the committee only included government representatives and demanded opposition members be included to ensure impartiality.
Concerns over the amendment have increased due to the timing of the government’s efforts to secure its approval from both houses of parliament.
The bill seeks amendments to the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996, including changes to certain definitions, replacement of Section 27A regarding Right of Way (ROW), and the introduction of a new Section 27B related to enforcement.
The term “Right of Way”, previously defined under Section 2(qb) as the right to “pass over land or property of other person to provide telecom licence services”, has been expanded in the proposed amendment to mean “access by licensee for telecommunication infrastructure”.
The revised definition introduces the right to enter or use premises instead of merely passing over land.
However, the Ministry of IT and Telecom on Saturday clarified that the proposed ROW provisions do not allow telecom operators to enter private property without the owner’s consent or due legal process, nor do they permit compulsory acquisition of private land.
The ministry said the amendments are intended to speed up telecom infrastructure development, improve connectivity, attract investment and create a transparent legal framework while protecting private property rights.
It added that the proposed changes aim to address challenges affecting fibreisation and investment in the telecom sector, particularly after the recent 5G spectrum auction, in which 480 megahertz of spectrum was sold for $507 million.