The federal government has unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of Pakistan’s telecom laws, aiming to accelerate the rollout of high-speed internet and mobile networks while tightening oversight of key sector regulators and state-run institutions.
Under the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Act, 2026, authorities plan to cut red tape for telecom operators, streamline the deployment of fiber-optic cables and mobile towers, and modernise governance at bodies such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC). Officials say the reforms are designed to support digital growth and bring the regulatory framework in line with evolving technological realities.
The amendments would update the nearly three-decade-old Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, with a strong focus on speeding up nationwide digital infrastructure development. As part of the changes, the federal government would assume greater oversight of PTA’s governance, including setting the remuneration of its chairman and members. PTA’s finances would also be brought under the Public Finance Management Act, 2019, a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline.
One of the most consequential changes targets the long-standing Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks that have slowed network expansion. The proposed law grants licensed operators a clear legal right to access public and private land for installing and maintaining telecom infrastructure. It introduces an automatic approval mechanism if no decision is issued within 21 days, prohibits charges for land access, and restricts authorities from withdrawing legally granted permissions without valid grounds.
To further reduce delays, the bill proposes a dedicated enforcement and dispute-resolution mechanism with fixed timelines. Penalties, including fines of up to Rs1 million, could be imposed on individuals or entities that unlawfully obstruct or delay telecom infrastructure deployment.
The reforms also extend to the National Telecommunication Corporation, which provides connectivity to government institutions. The NTC would be aligned with the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Act, 2023, leading to a restructured board with greater private-sector representation, mandatory female membership, and a clear separation between the roles of chairman and managing director.
A statutory managing director position would be formally established through a transparent, competitive process, complete with defined tenure, performance evaluations, and accountability standards. Mandatory online disclosures and stronger board oversight of management are also part of the proposed framework.
The government says the legislative package is intended to unlock faster internet expansion, improve institutional governance, and lay the groundwork for sustained growth of Pakistan’s digital economy—an objective central to the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
