Lawmakers urged to adopt balanced approach to proposed RoW reforms

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan moves forward with plans to strengthen its digital infrastructure and prepare for the rollout of 5G services, industry experts have urged lawmakers to adopt a balanced approach to the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed Right of Way (RoW) reforms.

Kamal Ahmed, Secretary General of the Telecom Operators Association said Pakistan’s telecom sector has long faced significant challenges, including spectrum scarcity, RoW-related bottlenecks, high taxation on telecom services, and the denial of industrial electricity tariffs to operators. He emphasized that the country’s economic future is increasingly linked to the growth of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digital services, e-commerce, and IT exports.

The government recently introduced the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at streamlining the RoW framework and removing barriers to telecom infrastructure development. However, discussions on the bill in the Senate have sparked concerns over private property rights, compensation mechanisms, and proposed penalties for non-compliance.

Ahmed noted that while these concerns warrant careful consideration, policymakers should remain focused on the broader objective of expanding digital connectivity across the country. He highlighted that nearly 90 percent of Pakistan’s internet traffic is carried over mobile networks, while fibre connectivity remains insufficient to meet the demands of future broadband expansion and 5G deployment.

“Delays in obtaining RoW permissions, inconsistent municipal procedures, and lengthy approval processes continue to slow down fibre deployment and increase costs,” he said, adding that these issues have become major obstacles to the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.

Drawing comparisons with international practices, Ahmed pointed out that countries across Europe, the United Kingdom, India, and the United States have implemented time-bound and standardized approval mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of critical digital infrastructure. He stressed that such frameworks are designed to address administrative delays rather than undermine property rights.

The telecom industry has called on Parliament to strengthen safeguards related to property owner consent, compensation, notice requirements, and appeals while preserving the bill’s core objective of accelerating fibre rollout and digital infrastructure development.

Ahmed described the Senate’s review process as an opportunity to refine the legislation rather than derail it, noting that Pakistan’s digital future depends on both expanded fibre connectivity and public trust. He expressed hope that lawmakers would adopt a prudent and balanced approach to the RoW reforms, enabling the country to capitalize on emerging ICT opportunities and support long-term economic growth.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026