Pakistan, June 21 -- The IT ministry's clarification that the proposed telecom amendments do not authorise compulsory acquisition of private land is relevant only up to a point. It does not answer the central objection. The issue is not confined to acquisition. The bill also concerns access, deemed consent, compensation, official discretion and penalties - all of which go to the practical control citizens exercise over their own property.

The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was already passed by the National Assembly and is now before the Senate committee, does more than streamline Right of Way approvals.

Most significantly, what was earlier understood as Right of Way is recast as "access by li...