Govt Decides to Abolish Right of Way Charges on Federal Land

The government has decided to abolish Right of Way (RoW) charges on federal land, starting with Islamabad, where RoW charges will now be zero. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board has approved the removal of these charges. According to the Ministry of IT, discussions are underway with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Pakistan Railways to implement the same decision. Other federal entities are also expected to waive RoW fees as part of the initiative. The Ministry of IT confirmed that amendments are being made to the Pakistan Telecommunication Act to standardize RoW charges across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed these amendments to ensure uniformity. Once the changes are enacted, the same RoW rates will apply nationwide, eliminating discrepancies between different regions and authorities. Officials said the decision aims to ease the operational challenges faced by telecom companies. They believe that lowering or removing RoW charges will accelerate the expansion of fiber optic and broadband networks, especially in underserved areas. With better connectivity, coverage gaps in suburban and rural areas will be addressed more effectively. Industry experts anticipate that improved network expansion will eventually lead to lower internet and telecom service rates for consumers. They argue that reducing the cost of network deployment will encourage more investment, increase competition, and bring better service quality. The Ministry of IT also expects long-term economic benefits from this policy shift, as faster connectivity can boost the digital economy. The federal government had approved a national RoW policy in 2021, but despite that, telecom companies continued to face delays in obtaining permissions, as well as high and inconsistent fees from various authorities. Stakeholders say that even with the policy in place, overlapping jurisdictions and bureaucratic hurdles slowed down network development. The current decision, they hope, will resolve these longstanding barriers and pave the way for rapid digital infrastructure growth across Pakistan.