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The race to launch 5G in Pakistan has hit a political speed bump. On Monday, the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT witnessed a heated debate over the Pakistan Telecommunication Re-organisation Amendment Bill 2026. Chaired by Amin-ul-Haq, the meeting highlighted a sharp divide. The government sees the telecom bill 2026 as a critical requirement for International Monetary Fund (IMF) compliance and digital growth. However, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) fears it bypasses essential legislative checks.
Telecom Bill 2026: IMF Ultimatum & 5G Dreams
Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima did not mince words. She urged the committee to review and pass the bill immediately. The urgency stems from high-stakes international commitments. Shaza Fatima revealed:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is departing for the World Economic Forum tomorrow.
He has a scheduled meeting with the IMF Managing Director. We must finalize these legal matters under IMF conditions.
Beyond the IMF, the Minister argued that the bill is a matter of survival for Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. She stated that the country cannot function without high-speed internet. Shaza Fatima declared:
Fiberization is inevitable for high-speed internet.
Without fibre, 5G will not work.
Currently, 98% of Pakistanis use broadband via mobile networks. Yet, the expansion of fibre optics, the backbone of modern connectivity, remains stalled. Shaza Fatima blamed property owners for creating hurdles, warning that if the status quo continues, “neither 5G nor the internet will run”.
The ‘Right of Way’ Controversy
The proposed bill introduces a strict “Right of Way” amendment to accelerate fiberization. This clause sparked the fiercest opposition from PPP leader Sharmila Faruqui.
Sharmila Faruqui pointed out that the new amendment appears to supersede all other laws. She raised concerns that this unchecked power could damage the environment and national heritage sites. Sharmila Faruqui asked:
Does this mean if the environment is damaged, no law will apply?
Landowners must be given a notice and a chance to be heard.
Under the new proposal, if a landowner does not respond within 21 days, a decision will be made automatically. Sharmila Faruqui argued this threatens citizens’ constitutional rights.
Minister Shaza Fatima countered these fears. She assured the committee that the amendment binds the licensee to restore any site to its original condition. She insisted that no constitutional rights are being violated, noting that all provinces have already issued notifications to abolish “Right of Way” charges.
Political Gridlock
The friction wasn’t just technical… it was political. Sharmila Faruqui expressed deep reservations that the PPP’s legislative committee was not consulted beforehand. She stated:
We are a legislative committee, yet we were not taken into confidence.
Sharmila Faruqui demanded that the government discuss the bill with Naveed Qamar first. She said:
If the PPP legislative committee approves it, we will have no objection.
Chairman Amin-ul-Haq proposed a middle ground. He suggested the committee review the bill to save time while the government simultaneously engages the PPP to address their concerns.
Minister Shaza Fatima agreed to take the PPP into confidence on the same day and incorporate the necessary amendments. However, she reiterated the bottom line:
Barriers to fiberization must be removed to secure Pakistan’s digital future.
