The meeting, convened on short notice, took up the government bill amid repeated references to urgency linked to international commitments and state-owned enterprise compliance. However, PPP’s Dr. Sharmila Faruqui raised concerns over the pace of the process, emphasizing that the proposed amendments had not yet been discussed or approved by her party’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee.
Dr. Sharmila Faruqui stressed that in a parliamentary system, major regulatory and governance changes particularly those affecting telecom infrastructure, Right of Way, and the authority of the Prime Minister over regulatory appointments should ideally be vetted by party leadership to ensure political consensus and avoid complications at later legislative stages. She suggested engagement with PPP’s legislative head, Naveed Qamar, before moving toward passage.
While government representatives underlined that the bill carries IMF linked SOE compliance implications and highlighted time sensitivity due to upcoming international engagements, PPP members cautioned against appearing rushed. They warned that accelerating the bill without full political alignment could lead to avoidable friction when the matter reaches the House.
The discussion reflected unease over clauses granting sweeping Right of Way powers, overriding other laws, and imposing fines of up to Rs. 1 million for obstruction, as well as provisions shifting key regulatory powers from the Federal Cabinet framework to the Prime Minister. PPP members questioned whether sufficient safeguards for environmental, heritage, and property rights had been built into the legislation.
Despite acknowledging the need for telecom sector reforms and improved connectivity, PPP legislators maintained that consensus-building must precede speed. Dr. Sharmila Faruqui indicated that her party was not opposing reform but sought procedural clarity and political endorsement before any final decision.
The Chair acknowledged the concerns and indicated that further engagement with party leadership could help smooth the legislative path, even as government members reiterated the strategic importance of moving forward expeditiously.
The bill remains under committee consideration, with further consultations expected before it is formally taken up for passage.
