Changes to RoW access, NTC under SOEs framework: Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 recommended

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Thursday unanimously recommended the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing changes relating to Right of Way (RoW) access and bringing the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) under the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) framework from a corporation.

The committee met under the chairmanship of Syed Amin-ul-Haq where “The Pakistan Telecommunication Re-organization (Amendment) Bill, 2026” (Government Bill) was discussed in detail and deliberated on its various aspects. During the clause-by-clause reading of the Bill, various amendments were proposed by the Committee.

Officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the committee that under the proposed amendments, telecom licencees would be facilitated in obtaining RoW for installation, deployment, operation and maintenance of telecom infrastructure, including fibre cables, towers, and related equipment.

The committee was informed that no RoW charges would be applicable from public entities as well as private land used for commercial purposes, including housing societies, DHA, Bahria Town, and cantonment areas. However, access to private individual land would remain subject to mutual agreement between parties. Under the revised draft, clear timelines have been introduced for approvals, including deemed approvals in case public authorities fail to respond within the prescribed period. The bill also introduces a dispute resolution mechanism under which the appropriate government may nominate an officer, not below the rank of Secretary, to resolve disputes within a specified timeframe.

The amendments also restructure the governance framework of the National Telecommunication Corporation. Under the final draft, NTC will be governed through a Board of Directors comprising independent and ex officio members, along with the Managing Director and private sector representatives.

The bill further provides for the application of the State-Owned Enterprises Act, 2023, to NTC, strengthening financial oversight, governance structure, and audit compliance requirements. After detailed deliberations and consideration of the proposed amendments, the Committee passed “The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026” (Government Bill) with amendments proposed by the Committee.

The Committee took up “The Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026” (Government Bill) for consideration.

Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication briefed the committee that with the rapid increase in electronic transactions, there is a pressing need to strengthen authentication mechanisms and update the legal framework. He said institutions must be aligned to address the growing complexity of internet-based transactions, adding that legislative correction, clear direction, and a cohesive vision were required to keep pace with evolving digital systems.

During the deliberations, the members of the Committee belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party objected that the said Bill had not been placed before the Parliamentary Legislative Committee of the Pakistan People’s Party. They were of the view that it would not be appropriate to proceed further until a consensus had been reached at the parliamentary level. PML-N lawmaker endorsed the proposal, stating the PPP, being a major ally of the government, should be taken on board to avoid potential embarrassment during voting in parliament.

After mutual consultation, the Committee decided to defer “The Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026” (Government Bill) till the next meeting. It was further decided that the Bill would be taken up again for consideration by the Committee once consensus is achieved.

In addition, the scrutiny of budgetary proposals relating to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the Ministry of Information Technology and its attached departments for the Financial Year 2026–27 was deferred.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026