en.Wedoany.com Reported - The federal government has amended the "Pakistan Telecommunications (Reorganization) (Amendment) Act 2026," explicitly requiring telecom operators to obtain property owners' approval before installing infrastructure on private land.

A provision in the previously proposed bill that could have allowed telecom companies to enter private property for installation without explicit owner consent had raised multiple concerns. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced the revisions, stating that the new draft removes the original provision which deemed owner silence as implied consent if two official notices went unanswered.

Under the updated bill, telecom companies must obtain prior permission before laying cables, erecting overhead lines, or placing communication equipment on private property. This requirement covers residences, shops, vacant land, agricultural land, and other private spaces. The government has also clarified key terms in the draft, including telecom equipment, underground installation, overhead installation, and right-of-way provisions. Officials stated that these amendments aim to eliminate ambiguities and objections raised by the original wording.

The revised draft also limits dispute resolution mechanisms to cases where both parties voluntarily reach an agreement, meaning property owners cannot be forced into dispute resolution procedures not based on consent. Officials clarified that the amendments do not affect telecom infrastructure already built on public land, and separate procedures for housing societies and planned residential development projects will continue to apply.

These changes aim to protect private property rights while allowing continued expansion of telecom infrastructure under a clearer legal framework. The revised bill seeks to balance the needs of telecom operators with citizens' rights, supporting Pakistan's efforts to improve broadband coverage, mobile connectivity, and digital infrastructure development.