Pakistan Pushes Tech Leap: Shaza Khawaja Unveils Digital Stack in Riyadh
September 3, 2026
Pakistan’s 5G expansion and nationwide fibre deployment face renewed uncertainty after the government withdrew the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill 2026, with fresh legislation expected to address Right of Way charges and approval delays.
Pakistan’s plans to accelerate fibre deployment and expand 5G services face renewed uncertainty following the government’s withdrawal of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill 2026, legislation that was intended to address long-standing Right of Way (RoW) charges and approval delays affecting telecom infrastructure projects.
According to PhoneWorld and Dawn, the government withdrew the bill from the Senate on August 28 and said a fresh draft would be introduced to address concerns surrounding the proposed legislation.
The original bill sought to create a more streamlined framework for telecom infrastructure deployment, including optical fibre cables, towers and other network installations. However, concerns were raised in Parliament and by digital rights groups over provisions relating to access to public and private land.
Dawn reported that the government decided to introduce a new bill “while retaining the essence of the proposed legislation.” The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication said the move was intended to “avoid delays and expedite the legislative process.”
The government has argued that changes to the existing legal framework are necessary because it does not adequately address the infrastructure requirements of modern technologies such as 5G.
The withdrawn legislation had proposed significant changes to Right of Way arrangements. According to Dawn, the bill’s statement of objects and reasons cited the need for “swift and coordinated deployment of telecommunication infrastructure.”
The issue is particularly important for Pakistan’s 5G ambitions because next-generation mobile networks require extensive fibre connectivity between cellular sites and the wider telecom backbone. Simply auctioning additional spectrum does not guarantee that operators can deliver the full benefits of 5G without sufficient backhaul infrastructure.
Pakistan auctioned an additional 480MHz of spectrum in March 2026, taking the country’s total available spectrum to 754MHz. However, operators still face challenges associated with fibre deployment, including RoW charges, approval delays and differing procedures across jurisdictions.
The government had hoped that RoW reforms would reduce infrastructure costs and encourage private-sector investment. IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja previously said the proposed amendment would provide a legal framework for rationalising RoW fees and reducing the time and cost involved in deploying fibre.
Dawn reported that telecom operators had lobbied for legislation addressing “months-long delays” in obtaining no-objection certificates from cantonments, housing societies and provincial authorities.
The withdrawal therefore does not necessarily mean the government has abandoned its telecom infrastructure objectives. Instead, officials have indicated that replacement legislation will retain provisions aimed at removing bottlenecks while addressing concerns about private property.
The Ministry of IT said the new legislation would seek to ensure that the legislative process moves forward without unnecessary delays. Officials also indicated that consent requirements for private property would be strengthened.
The stakes are significant. Faster fibre deployment would help operators utilise newly acquired spectrum more effectively, improve broadband quality and support the wider rollout of 5G services.
The government has also linked improved broadband connectivity with broader economic benefits, including employment, digital services and economic growth.
Attention will now turn to the replacement bill and whether it can strike a balance between accelerating telecom infrastructure deployment and protecting property rights.
For Pakistan’s digital economy, the outcome could determine how quickly operators can expand fibre networks and translate the country’s increased spectrum capacity into meaningful improvements in 5G connectivity.
