Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication recently informed the Senate that the crucial Telecom Competition Rules remain unpromulgated. These essential regulations, required by Section 57 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, are still undergoing a comprehensive drafting process. Consequently, this development underscores the nation’s ongoing efforts to establish a robust regulatory framework for its telecommunication sector.
Drafting Pakistan’s Telecom Competition Rules
Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, provided a written reply to the upper house of Parliament regarding this matter. She confirmed that the drafting of the competition rules is actively underway. The Ministry is diligently reviewing various regulatory frameworks and international experiences from other countries. Therefore, Pakistan aims to ensure these new rules align with global best practices in telecom market regulation and foster a dynamic environment.
Promoting Fair Competition in Pakistan’s Telecom Sector
The proposed framework intends to significantly promote fair competition within Pakistan’s burgeoning telecom sector. These rules will specifically address anti-competitive practices, establishing clear mechanisms for market assessment and outlining effective regulatory remedies. Ultimately, their objective is to cultivate an equitable and competitive landscape for all industry players.
Stakeholder Engagement and Future Steps
Once finalized, the draft rules will be shared with relevant public and private sector stakeholders for essential feedback. This consultative process is crucial for incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring the rules are practical and effective. Following this feedback period, the rules will advance further in line with the prescribed legislative procedure. The Ministry reiterates that stakeholder input remains a vital component, which will be thoroughly considered before the rules move toward formal notification as required under the existing legal framework for telecommunication sector governance.
