Pakistan’s digital future is set to accelerate as the government moves ahead with the Right of Way One-Window Portal, a nationwide digital platform designed to simplify and speed up telecom infrastructure approvals. The introduction of the Right of Way One-Window Portal marks a major step toward expanding broadband services, reducing administrative delays, and creating a more efficient environment for telecom operators across the country.
A Unified System for Telecom Approvals
For years, telecom companies in Pakistan have faced delays caused by complicated paperwork, inconsistent approval processes, and unaligned policies across provinces and departments. These challenges often slowed down fiberization, tower deployment, and broadband expansion.
The Right of Way One-Window Portal aims to eliminate these bottlenecks by bringing federal, provincial, municipal, and private land-owning agencies onto one centralized digital platform. This integration will allow telecom operators to apply for RoW permissions, check their application status, and receive approvals—all through a single online system.
MoITT expects this system to reduce approval timelines from the current average of 100 days to 75 days initially, with a long-term goal of bringing it below 65 days.
Standardizing Policies Across Pakistan
As part of the project, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is conducting a detailed evaluation of Pakistan’s existing RoW ecosystem. The findings will help identify gaps such as inconsistent RoW fees, varying documentation requirements, and differing approval procedures among agencies.
Based on this assessment, experts will develop a harmonized policy framework to ensure that Right of Way rules are uniformly implemented throughout the country. Standardization will not only reduce confusion for telecom companies but also promote fairness and transparency in the entire approval process.
Key Features of the Digital Platform
The Right of Way One-Window Portal will introduce a modern and user-friendly workflow for telecom operators. Some of its core features include:
• Application submission and real-time tracking
Operators can file applications and follow their progress without physically visiting offices.
• Automated notifications and transparent fee calculations
The system will notify applicants of any updates and calculate fees clearly, reducing disputes and delays.
• Role-based access for government agencies
Different authorities can log in, review applications, and grant approvals according to their mandate.
• Digital scrutiny and complaint redressal
The platform will ensure transparency by documenting each step and addressing any complaints through a structured mechanism.
• Integration through APIs
Provincial and federal bodies will be able to connect their internal systems directly to the portal, ensuring seamless coordination.
These features will create a streamlined approval mechanism, reducing the burden on both telecom operators and government departments.
Supporting Agencies and Strengthening Implementation
To ensure the success of the portal, MoITT will launch a nationwide onboarding and training plan for all relevant agencies. Development authorities, municipal corporations, provincial departments, and private housing societies will be integrated into the system.
Training modules, stakeholder consultations, and policy guidelines will be provided so that all agencies follow the same procedures. Additionally, legal reforms will be proposed—especially updates to the Public Private Right of Way Directive—to ensure smooth enforcement of the new system.
The long-term goal is to build a strong legal and institutional foundation that supports fast, transparent, and consistent RoW processes nationwide.
A Major Boost to Digital Infrastructure
The introduction of the Right of Way One-Window Portal is expected to significantly accelerate Pakistan’s broadband penetration and fiber deployment. Faster approvals mean telecom companies can expand their networks more efficiently, improving connectivity for millions of users.
Better digital infrastructure also attracts investment by creating a more predictable and business-friendly environment. High-speed broadband is essential for e-commerce growth, cloud services, artificial intelligence adoption, online education, and digital governance. By reducing approval timelines and eliminating bureaucracy, Pakistan is positioning itself for rapid digital transformation.
A Step Toward a Connected Future
Pakistan’s push toward a Right of Way One-Window Portal represents a bold and strategic move toward modernizing the country’s digital landscape. By resolving long-standing administrative challenges and ensuring transparency, the portal will lay the groundwork for improved broadband services and nation-wide fiberization.
As the telecom sector becomes more efficient and investor-friendly, Pakistan will be better equipped to harness the opportunities of the digital economy—creating a more connected, competitive, and technologically advanced future.
