PM Shehbaz sets up committee to review disputed clauses in telecom reorganization bill

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-level committee to examine contentious provisions of the Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, after concerns were raised over several clauses, the government said on Friday.

Who is on the committee reviewing the telecom bill?

The committee is headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and includes Senator Sherry Rehman, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Attorney General Mansoor Awan.

Legal and information technology experts have also been added to assist the review.

Which clauses of the telecom bill are being reviewed?

According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the panel has been constituted in response to reservations expressed over specific sections of the bill. It has been tasked with reviewing Sections 2(qb), 2(ma), 27A and 27B, with particular focus on the proposed Right-of-Way framework.

The committee will also examine rules governing the installation of telecommunications infrastructure, the use of privately owned land, and Right-of-Way arrangements in housing societies. It will subsequently submit its recommendations to the federal government.

When will the committee submit its findings?

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the committee to complete its review on an expedited basis and present its findings at the earliest opportunity. No fixed deadline has been announced for the submission of recommendations.