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ISLAMABAD: The much-touted bill aimed at advancing fibreisation across the country has run into trouble after the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom deferred it, while criticism on social media has targeted the IT minister and sections of the telecom sector over what critics describe as an ‘exploitative law’.
Concerns about the intentions behind the Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 have intensified due to the timing of the government’s attempt to secure its passage through both houses of parliament.
The bill was approved by the National Assembly on June 11, a day before the presentation of the federal budget 2026-27, and was presented in the Senate on June 15.
Following objections from PTI senators, who demanded that the proposed legislation be referred to the relevant standing committee, Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan convened a meeting the next day, June 16.
