ISLAMABAD

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Pakistan Telecommunication Re-Organization (Amendment) Bill 2025, paving the way for key regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s telecommunications framework and supporting the rollout of next-generation digital infrastructure.

The bill was tabled by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and received broad support from lawmakers across the aisle.

Among the amendments approved by the House was a proposal concerning the retirement age of judges serving on the telecom appellate tribunal. Explaining the amendment, the IT minister said the change was intended to align the tribunal’s functioning with evolving regulatory requirements and ensure continuity in dispute resolution.

The Assembly also adopted amendments proposed by PPP lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar, focusing on potential disputes related to Right of Way (RoW) permissions required for laying fiber-optic cables and expanding 5G infrastructure across the country.

Lawmakers noted that as Pakistan accelerates digital connectivity projects, disagreements over access to land and public infrastructure for telecom networks are likely to increase. The approved amendments grant provincial and relevant government authorities greater powers to address such disputes while also introducing limits on penalties that may be imposed during the resolution process.

The legislation is being viewed as an important step toward facilitating nationwide broadband expansion, accelerating 5G readiness, and improving the regulatory environment for telecommunications investment.

Industry observers say streamlined Right of Way regulations will be critical to achieving the government’s digital transformation goals and expanding high-speed internet access across Pakistan.