In a major development for Pakistan’s telecom sector, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has introduced key amendments to address long-standing Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks that have slowed broadband and fibre optic expansion across the country.
According to ministry sources, a new clause has been incorporated into the Pakistan Telecommunication Re-organization Act mandating that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Right of Way must be issued within 21 days.
Under the proposed amendment, if the relevant authority fails to issue the NOC within the stipulated timeframe, the Right of Way will be deemed automatically approved — a move aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays that telecom operators have long complained about.
The amendment further declares telecom infrastructure as “critical infrastructure,” barring any institution or individual from obstructing its installation. Violations could result in penalties of up to Rs1 million, sources said.
The Ministry has submitted the proposed amendments to parliament, with approval expected in the upcoming parliamentary session.
Industry stakeholders say the legislative change could remove one of the biggest structural hurdles facing telecom operators, who have frequently encountered delays in securing NOCs from local authorities.
Officials believe the reform will significantly accelerate broadband penetration and fibre deployment nationwide, paving the way for improved digital connectivity and future technologies, including 5G rollout.
Analysts also anticipate that resolving the Right of Way issue will boost investor confidence and attract fresh investment into Pakistan’s telecom sector, strengthening the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
