ISLAMABAD: After Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a committee to review the controversial Pakistan Telecommunication Re-organisation (Amendment) Bill 2026 amid criticism against its clause to allow telecommunication companies use public land without fee, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan alliance has demanded opposition representation in the review panel to ensure impartiality.

TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmad Yousufzai noted that the PM’s decision to set up an inquiry committee was an acknowledgement of poor legislation, but it currently comprised only government representatives. For an impartial scrutiny, he said, the review panel must include opposition lawmakers as well.

The committee constituted by the premier a day earlier, is headed by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar. Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Senator Sherry Rehman, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, and various legal and IT experts are its members. The committee has been tasked with review of the right-of-way framework in sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A, and 27B of the bill. It will also deliberate on operations related to the domain of private properties and housing societies before submitting its final recommendations.

The opposition alliance maintained, “The bill was presented in the Senate for final approval since it had already been passed by the cabinet and National Assembly. It would have passed the Senate but stopped due to timely intervention by the Senate committee chairperson who objected to the anti-people legislation.”

TTAP spokesperson Yousufzai claimed that if the bill had passed, telecommunication companies would have been legally permitted to install towers on “private properties” anywhere in Pakistan, whereas property owners would have no right to object and, in the event of a refusal, would face a fine of Rs50 million regardless of the property’s value.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026