Obstructing or delaying grant of rights: Telecom bill seeking to impose Rs50m penalty presented in Senate

ISLAMABAD: The government, Monday, moved the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Senate that seeks to empower the government to impose a fine up to Rs50 million on “any owner, lessee, tenant or entity that obstructs or delays the grant of rights” to a telecommunication system licensee.

Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja moved a motion under the relevant rule of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 to allow presentation of this bill in the Senate budget session.

After Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani allowed the motion, the minister moved this bill that was referred to the relevant standing committee.

Already passed by the National Assembly, the bill seeks to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996 with the insertion of Section 27B which provides that the “appropriate government may impose a fine up to Rs50 million rupees on any owner, lessee, tenant or entity that obstructs or delays the grant of right” to a telecommunication system licensee.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of this bill provides that the bill seeks to bring the National Telecommunication Corporation in conformity with the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Act, 2023 in order to improve its governance structure, operational transparency and efficiency in line with applicable laws governing the state-owned enterprises.

Later, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas opened the debate on the proposed federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27. He slammed the government for causing what he described as unprecedented inflation in the country.

The opposition leader also took the government over the imposition of levy on petroleum products.

Abbas said the government presented a “poor-crushing” budget, which, he said, “is a symbol of horror.”

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman lauded the abolishing of tax on products related to women hygiene and family planning in the federal budget.

Mohsin Aziz from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took on the government over inflation. “Some time back, the price of a flour bag was Rs1,100. Now, it’s Rs 2,600,” he said.

Afnan Ullah Khan from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) said the federal budget has been prepared in an “exceptionally challenging regional and economic environment,” which, he said, reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable economic growth rather than short-term gains.

“The government set a tax collection target of Rs15.264 trillion while pursuing fiscal discipline and structural reforms aimed at ensuring long-term stability,” Khan said.

Other senators from different political parties including Aon Abbas, Kamran Murtaza, Faisal Javed, Dilawar Khan, Sarmad Ali, Shahadat Awan, Jan Muhammad and Nasir Mehmood also shared views on the federal budget.

The Senate was adjourned till today (Tuesday).

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026