Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said that under the new Telecom Bill, no personal land or property of any citizen will be forcibly occupied. The main objective of the bill is to ensure the provision of high-speed and quality internet across the country.
While holding a press conference along with Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Shaza Fatima said that it was necessary to take the public and Parliament into confidence on the Telecom Bill, because the old law was not compatible with the technology and digital needs of the present era.
She said that improving the internet infrastructure under the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision is one of the government’s priorities.
The Federal Minister said that the Telecom Bill was under consideration in the National Assembly for about six months, while in the Senate it was also referred to the relevant committee for further consultation, which is part of the democratic process. According to her, the National Assembly passed the bill with 6 amendments.
Shaza Fatima clarified that the bill aims to address the problems of housing societies that, despite entering into agreements with telecom companies, later create obstacles. She said that if a citizen does not want to allow telecom infrastructure to be installed on his private property, it is his legal right.
The federal minister said that baseless allegations were made against me and the Secretary IT regarding the Telecom Bill, on which the prime minister has been requested to investigate these allegations.
The federal minister further said that the government and the relevant authorities reserve the right to take legal action on the financial allegations made against them, while the rules and regulations related to private properties will also be clarified so that the rights of any citizen are not affected.