The federal government has strongly rejected allegations that the Pakistan Telecommunication Re Organisation Amendment Bill 2026 was drafted to benefit any specific company or individual. Senior government officials described the claims as baseless and maintained that the proposed legislation is intended to improve the country’s telecommunication infrastructure while protecting the rights of property owners.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja dismissed accusations regarding the bill. The law minister stated that a parliamentary committee carefully reviewed the legislation and found no evidence suggesting that it was designed to provide financial advantages to any private entity. He also noted that the National Assembly approved the bill after incorporating six amendments, reflecting recommendations from lawmakers.
Tarar explained that the primary purpose of the bill is to resolve issues faced by telecom operators when installing fibre optic infrastructure in housing societies. According to him, many housing projects enter agreements with telecom companies but later create obstacles that delay network expansion and internet connectivity.
The law minister further clarified that the bill does not permit telecom operators to enter private property without permission. He stressed that property owners’ consent remains mandatory before any fibre optic cables can be laid on privately owned land. Citizens who do not wish to allow telecom infrastructure on their property will continue to have the legal right to refuse.
Meanwhile, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said she personally requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate a formal inquiry into allegations concerning her financial integrity and that of the IT secretary. She stated that she would fully accept responsibility if any wrongdoing were proven during the investigation.
However, the minister added that if the inquiry concludes the allegations are false and baseless, both she and the IT secretary reserve the constitutional right to pursue legal action against those responsible after seeking legal advice.
The government remains confident that the inquiry will provide transparency while ensuring that the Telecom Bill is evaluated on facts rather than speculation.
