Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

Government Defends Telecom Bill, Promises Changes to Address Legal Concerns

ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima has defended the controversial Telecommunications Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, saying the legislation was introduced through a democratic process and would be refined to address legal and technical concerns raised by lawmakers…

June 25, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

IT & Telecommunication

PM’s Committee Proposes Major Changes to Controversial Telecom Bill

ISLAMABAD: A high-level committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed significant amendments to the controversial Telecommunications Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, aiming to address concerns over private property rights and make the legislation more acceptable to stakeholders, sources told Pakistan…

June 25, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

Digital Pakistan

Pakistan Sounds Alarm on Child Online Safety as Digital Risks Grow

ISLAMABAD Growing internet access among children has intensified concerns over online safety, prompting experts and policymakers to call for stronger digital literacy, parental awareness and cybersecurity safeguards to protect young users in Pakistan. With children spending more time on smartphones,…

June 21, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

Digital Pakistan

Pakistan to Fully Shift to E-Passports, Launch Home Delivery Service

ISLAMABAD Pakistan has approved sweeping reforms to its passport system, including a complete transition to e-passports and the introduction of a home delivery service aimed at modernising citizen services and improving convenience. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting…

June 21, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

Mobile Updates

Global Chip Shortage Threatens Smartphone Prices as Costs Set to Rise 20%

ISLAMABAD Smartphone buyers worldwide may soon face higher prices as a fresh shortage of semiconductor chips and rising manufacturing costs put pressure on the global electronics industry. Industry analysts expect the average global price of smartphones to increase by nearly…

June 21, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

News

Facebook Eases Monetisation Rules, Making Dollar Earnings Easier for Creators

ISLAMABAD Facebook has introduced one of the most significant changes to its monetisation policies in recent years, lowering barriers for content creators and making it easier to earn revenue from the platform. The move marks a major shift from the…

June 21, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani

# **Pakistan revises controversial Telecom Amendment Bill after Senate objections** **ISLAMABAD:** The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has begun revising the draft **Telecom Amendment Bill 2026** following recommendations from a committee constituted by the prime minister, officials familiar with the matter said. The ministry is preparing amendments to the proposed legislation after members of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology raised strong objections to several provisions, particularly those relating to access to private property for telecommunications infrastructure. The bill failed to secure the committee's approval after lawmakers expressed concerns over clauses they said lacked clarity and could affect private property rights. According to sources, the prime minister's committee reviewed the contentious "Right of Way" provisions and submitted its recommendations to the government. The panel proposed that access to or use of private property should only be permitted with the owner's consent and through a mutually agreed arrangement. The committee also recommended clearer legal provisions governing public and private property, right-of-way permissions, compensation mechanisms and the procedure for appeals to remove ambiguities in the proposed law. Officials said the IT ministry is incorporating these recommendations into a revised draft, which will be presented again before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology for consideration. If approved by the Senate, the amended Telecom Amendment Bill will be sent back to the National Assembly for final legislative approval. The proposed legislation had also drawn widespread criticism on social media, with legal experts, industry stakeholders and citizens raising concerns over provisions related to private property rights. Officials said the latest revisions are aimed at addressing legal ambiguities and public concerns while ensuring the legislation provides a clearer regulatory framework for the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan.

IT & Telecommunication

Senate IT Committee Orders Public Hearings on Controversial Telecom Bill

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has decided to hold open public hearings on the controversial Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, as concerns mount over its potential impact on private property rights and constitutional protections. Speaking to the…

June 19, 2026 Qaswar Abbas Zarkani