• Azam Nazeer Tarar rules out telecom activity on private premises without consent; sub-committee formed to review bill
• Telecom stakeholders insist reforms essential for connectivity, hope parliament will ‘refine’ proposed legislation
ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Trying to allay the controversy surrounding Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill over proposed right-of-way reforms, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the government had no intention of occupying private property, or installing telecom towers without the consent of property owners.
The minister made these comments after an in-camera meeting of the parliamentary committee formed by the prime minister to review the proposed legislation that could not sail through the Senate after its approval by the National Assembly.
The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom had objected to a clause in the bill that would allow free installation of telecom towers in public spaces, including parks, green belts, and government buildings.
The law minister, however, said no telecom-related activity would be carried out on private premises without permission, adding that a sub-committee had been formed to look into the matter. The committee was reviewing objections raised by the Senate Standing Committee and consultations were underway.
The minister claimed the bill was not controversial and blamed the media for “blowing it out of proportion”. But he also said further clarifications would be incorporated in the legislation to safeguard property rights while supporting digital development and connectivity.
The committee, headed by the law minister, included PPP Senator Sherry Rehman but she could not attend the meeting on Tuesday. Other members were IT minister Shaza Fatima, the IT secretary, the economic affairs minister, the attorney general, MNA Javed Hanif, three lawyers Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Dr Daud Munir, and Ms Bayyinah Shah.
The National Assembly passed the bill on June 11, but the Senate did not approve it. The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom raised objections to the inclusion of ‘telecom towers and equipment’ in the bill aimed at enhancing fiberisation. The committee members had noted that the bill should not include towers alongside optical fibre.
