govt withdraws controversial
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Govt withdraws controversial telecom amendment bil…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday withdrew the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, from the Senate amid concerns raised by opposition lawmakers and stakeholders in the telecom sector.

The withdrawal motion was moved on the Senate floor by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on behalf of the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication.

The proposed legislation sought to introduce amendments to the existing legal and regulatory framework governing Pakistan’s telecommunications sector. However, the bill had faced criticism in recent weeks, with opposition members and industry representatives expressing reservations over several of its provisions.

No specific reason for withdrawing the bill was disclosed during the Senate proceedings. However, government sources indicated that the legislation could be brought back before Parliament after further consultations with relevant stakeholders and consideration of their concerns.

The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act provides the legal framework for the structure, licensing and regulation of the country’s telecom sector.

With the bill withdrawn, the existing telecom regulatory framework will remain unchanged for the time being.

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