The Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, has come under scrutiny in the Senate amid concerns that it could weaken protections for private property rights.
Lawmakers have expressed reservations that the proposed legislation may significantly increase the authority of the government and telecom operators to access privately owned land for infrastructure projects such as mobile towers and fiber-optic networks.
The bill, approved on June 11 by the National Assembly, has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication for detailed examination.
During a recent meeting, members of the committee raised objections to several provisions, prompting a delay in further deliberations.
Committee Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan said the draft law could create serious concerns for landowners, particularly regarding clauses that allow infrastructure installation after a short notice period of 15 days. She argued that such provisions may restrict the rights of property owners and require careful reconsideration.
She further noted that the legislation appeared to have been finalized without sufficient consultation and that concerns had already been communicated to the Ministry of IT before its passage.
According to her, the bill will undergo a detailed clause-by-clause review, including provisions related to penalties and Article 27A.
The committee is expected to propose amendments before the bill is returned to the National Assembly for final consideration.
The debate has highlighted growing tensions between the need to expand digital infrastructure and the protection of constitutional property rights.
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