Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said the proposed Telecom Bill does not allow the government or any company to forcibly occupy private land or property. She added that the bill will clearly define the categories of private property.
Speaking at a press conference with Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Shaza Fatima rejected allegations of financial irregularities and other claims about the Telecom Bill, calling them baseless. She said the government had asked the prime minister to order an inquiry into the allegations surrounding the proposed law.
The IT minister said the main purpose of the Telecom Bill is to expand high-speed internet services across Pakistan. She added that the government is preparing the legislation through consultation and consensus.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said authorities must obtain the property owner’s permission before laying fibre-optic cables on private land. He also said the Telecommunications Bill was approved after six amendments.
Tarar added that the parliamentary committee found no evidence that the proposed law was intended to benefit any specific company. He said the committee also directed the government to remove all shortcomings in the bill before moving forward.
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