ISLAMABAD: The government has withdrawn the Pakistan Telecommunications Reorganisation Amendment (PTRA) Bill from the Senate, saying it will introduce new and comprehensive legislation after incorporating necessary changes.
Acting Senate Chairman Manzoor Kakar chaired the session when Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry moved a motion to withdraw the bill on behalf of the government. Information Technology Minister Shiza Fatima said the government decided to withdraw the legislation to speed up the legal process and prevent unnecessary delays.
She said the government would introduce a new bill after incorporating all necessary provisions and addressing the outstanding issues in the existing legislation.
PTRA Bill Withdrawn Before Legal Deadline
The IT Ministry had earlier submitted an application to the Senate seeking withdrawal of the PTRA Bill.
According to Shiza Fatima, the legislation’s 90-day legal period was nearing its expiry. The government therefore decided to withdraw the bill rather than allow it to proceed to the next stage.
Had the government retained the bill, it would have moved to a joint sitting of Parliament after the completion of the required period.
However, Shiza said there was currently no indication that a joint session would take place.
The minister said withdrawing the bill would allow the government to complete the legal process more efficiently and prepare a broader legislative framework. The government now plans to table a revised and comprehensive telecommunications legislation in Parliament after incorporating the required changes.
