Sherry Rehman

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar denied the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill would infringe on private property rights, stating telecom activity on private premises requires consent. A sub-committee was formed to address Senate objections to clauses allowing free installation of telecom towers in public spaces, while telecom stakeholders emphasized the need for reforms to improve connectivity.

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman stated the party will not support the Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Senate unless it undergoes thorough debate in the standing committee and includes PPP's proposed deletions. The bill, criticized for allowing telecom companies to use public land without fees, was approved by the National Assembly but stalled in the Senate due to objections over clause 27-A, which deals with land acquisition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee to review the bill, but PPP insists revisions must be processed through the Senate committee.

Pakistan has reduced the climate ministry’s budget allocation from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.48bn amid rising climate threats, including glacial lake outburst floods and El Niño-related risks. The article highlights the economic and social costs of climate inaction, such as disrupted agriculture, water shortages, and increased disaster recovery expenses.

Senator Sherry Rehman criticized the reduction of Pakistan's climate budget from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.48bn, warning of increased environmental risks and calling for urgent monsoon preparedness. She questioned the need for a proposed Climate Authority and highlighted challenges like glacier melt and erratic rainfall.