The Pakistani government has withdrawn a controversial telecommunications bill, initially approved by the National Assembly, due to objections raised in the Senate. The bill aimed to amend a 1996 act, granting telecom licensees broad powers regarding infrastructure installation on public and private land. Concerns centered on the sweeping powers granted, including the ability to install infrastructure without fees and deemed approval if public authorities didn't respond quickly. The Ministry of Information Technology cited potential delays—specifically, the possibility of not convening a joint parliamentary sitting—as a key reason for withdrawal. A new draft will be introduced to address the concerns and expedite the legislative process while maintaining the core objectives of modernizing telecom infrastructure for technologies like 5G. The government seeks a "swift and coordinated deployment" of infrastructure and believes the existing legal framework is outdated.