Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman has said her party will not support the Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Senate unless it undergoes a thorough review by the relevant standing committee and incorporates the party’s proposed amendments.
The statement comes amid growing debate over the proposed legislation, which aims to facilitate fibre-optic infrastructure development across the country. Critics have raised concerns about certain provisions in the bill, particularly a clause related to the use of land for telecom infrastructure and the powers granted to telecom operators.
In a statement shared on social media, Rehman said the PPP had blocked the bill’s progress in the Senate because it still contained what she described as “draconian clauses”, including Clause 27-A, despite repeated requests for their removal. She said party lawmakers in the National Assembly had been informed that the controversial provisions would be deleted before the legislation moved forward.
According to Rehman, while some disputed clauses were removed, key concerns remained unresolved when the bill reached the upper house. As a result, the PPP insisted that it be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication for further examination.
The senator stressed that the party supports the expansion of digital infrastructure and fibreisation but opposes provisions it believes could affect property rights, right-of-way regulations and oversight mechanisms. She argued that redressal mechanisms should not remain solely under executive control and called for broader scrutiny of the legislation.
Rehman welcomed the federal government’s decision to establish a committee to review the bill but maintained that any revised proposals should first be presented before the Senate standing committee. She also suggested holding a public hearing to improve transparency and allow stakeholders to express their concerns.
The bill has drawn criticism from lawmakers across party lines, including members of both the PPP and PML-N, who have questioned the inclusion of provisions related to telecom towers in legislation primarily intended to address fibre infrastructure and right-of-way issues.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom has clarified that the bill does not permit telecom operators to enter private property without consent or allow compulsory acquisition of private land.