A Landmark Step for Pakistan’s Digital Future
In a significant move towards digital transformation in Pakistan, the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Pakistan Railways have waived Right of Way (ROW) fees for the installation and development of IT and other related infrastructure, including fiberization. The move aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions, who has prioritized the expansion of high-speed broadband connections in the country.
Immediate Implementation of New Policy
The abolition of ROW charges will take effect immediately, as per official notifications issued by NHA and Pakistan Railways on August 28, 2025. The ruling will encompass all development and installation projects involving IT and IT-related infrastructure and, in effect, eliminate one of the largest policy bottlenecks that has traditionally impeded broadband development.
Support from IT and Communications Leadership
Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, welcomed the move as a breakthrough, as the government initiative is focused on fiberization. On social media, she stated, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has done it once again!” A major stride in the Ministry of IT’s fiberization plan. She was also grateful to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, as they cooperated in making the decision possible.
Impact on Telecom and Internet Service Providers
The elimination of ROW fees is likely to reduce the operational costs incurred by telecom operators and internet service providers by a significant percentage. The government aims to accelerate the deployment of networks, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas with limited access to fiber infrastructure, by reducing the costs associated with laying fiber. The adoption of this policy will pave the way for the widespread distribution of high-speed and reliable internet services.
Boosting Connectivity Across Pakistan
The government’s fiberization plan is designed to connect all cities and villages in Pakistan to high-speed broadband. What will expedite this process is abolishing the charge on ROW, which will enable more households, businesses, and institutions to access digital resources. Greater interconnection should lead to an economic boom, facilitating digital education and empowering the efforts of e-governance.
Conclusion
The NHA and the transformation that Pakistan Railways has achieved by eliminating ROW charges are a revolutionary move in Pakistan’s process of moving towards a digital economy. This will not only accelerate the process of fiberization but also create the potential to innovate, become an entrepreneur, and grow in an inclusive manner in the future.
