ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has dismissed concerns that the proposed Telecommunications Bill would allow authorities or companies to forcibly occupy private land.
Addressing a joint press conference with Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Shaza Fatima said allegations of financial irregularities and other claims regarding the bill were baseless.
She added that she had requested the prime minister to order an inquiry into the allegations to ensure complete transparency.
The IT minister said the primary objective of the new Telecommunications Bill is to accelerate the rollout of high-speed internet across Pakistan.
She noted that the legislation is being developed through consensus and that categories relating to private property would be clearly defined.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that no fibre-optic infrastructure can be laid on private property without the owner’s consent.
He said the Telecommunications Bill was approved after incorporating six amendments, adding that the parliamentary committee found no evidence that the legislation was designed to favour any particular company.
Tarar further stated that the committee had directed all identified shortcomings in the bill to be addressed before its approval.
