Shaza Fatima Khawaja

Pakistan's Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized the need for updated telecom laws to support 5G and modern technologies, as the 1996 framework is outdated. The proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, approved by the National Assembly, aims to expand digital infrastructure, address regulatory barriers, and increase high-speed internet access. The bill faces controversy over its language, with a special committee recommending revisions.

The opposition alliance TTAP demanded the removal of IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja over the controversial Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, which allows telecom operators to install towers on private property without consent and imposes heavy fines on property owners. The bill, approved by the National Assembly, is pending in the Senate, and TTAP criticized its passage as anti-people, unprofessional, and lacking public consultation.

The IT ministry clarified that proposed amendments to Pakistan's telecom laws do not mandate compulsory acquisition of private land for infrastructure. The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026, approved by the National Assembly, aims to streamline infrastructure deployment while safeguarding private property rights through Right of Way (ROW) provisions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has initiated a transformation of the government's monitoring mechanism using real-time digital oversight under the Digital Nation Pakistan Initiative. The AI-powered Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS) aims to enhance governance, coordination, and transparency by connecting federal ministries with the PMO through a centralized platform, featuring automated alerts and a GPT-based research tool.