The government on Friday withdrew a controversial bill that had sought sweeping powers for telecom operators to install infrastructure on public and private land, stating that it would introduce a new draft of the bill. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on Friday announced that it has initiated the process to withdraw the Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-organization) Amendment Bill 2026 from the Senate as its stipulated 90-day period was approaching completion. However, sources said that the bill had become controversial, so the government preferred to withdraw it, and now a fresh draft of the bill would be introduced in the weeks ahead.

The official statement of the ministry states that upon expiry of the prescribed period, the bill would have proceeded to a joint sitting of parliament, the convening of which may not take place in the near future. In order to avoid delays and expedite the legislative process, the ministry has decided to introduce a fresh Bill, ensuring that the legislative process proceeds in a timely and effective manner, while retaining the essence of the proposed legislation.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the National Assembly that the proposed amendment to the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Act, 2026, is aimed at removing financial and administrative hurdles associated with obtaining Right of Way (RoW) permissions. The amendment will facilitate the efficient deployment of Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) to provide universal, affordable, and reliable internet access to the public, including people living in remote areas of the country.

In a written reply to a question by Asiya Naz Tanoli submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat, the minister said that according to the World Bank, every 10 percent increase in broadband penetration has the potential to generate 0.9 to 2pc GDP growth, adding nearly $30 billion to Pakistan's national GDP over five years. The government also withdrew the controversial bill from the Senate, promising that a fresh draft of the proposed legislation would be introduced.