DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – March 2024
A monthly report on trends relating to digital rights, policies, practices & media
Tracking: Internet and digital policies and regulations
Digitalization in governance and socio-economic domains
Digital rights violations and protections
Digital rights advocacy and defense
Digital media and online free speech
Vol. 5, No. 3 – March 2024 Edition
Produced by Freedom Network – www.fnpk.org
SECTION 1: Internet and digital policies and regulations
- Federal and provincial governments (ministries and departments)
- Internet regulators
- Media regulators
- Telecom regulators
- Internet access / connectivity
PTA admits shutting cellular services on polling day
Date: March 6, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Digital Rights Monitor (DRM)
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) conceded that the Ministry of Interior had issued instructions to suspend mobile services on February 8, the polling day. In a reply submitted before the Sindh High Court (SHC), the authority asserted it was bound to follow instructions.
Sindh High Court directs PTA, Interior Ministry to file comments on cellular, internet suspension
Date: March 6, 2024 – Source: The News
The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the federal interior ministry to file comments on petitions against the suspension internet and cellular services on February 8, as well as the ban on social media platform X.
Telenor-Ufone merger nears completion
Date: March 23, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Telecom Paper
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) said work on the first phase of the merger between Telenor Pakistan (TP) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) was nearing completion, with a report slated to be released soon.
CCP yet to receive information on merger in telecommunication sector
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source: The News
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is still awaiting submission of information by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) regarding its proposed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding in Telenor Pakistan (TP).
PTA warned against licensing regime changes
Date: March 31, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The wireless and internet service providers said that the proposed revisions in their licensing regime by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will lead to mismanagement and distortions in the industry, fostering a culture of ‘ill-practices’.
SECTION 2: Digital rights advocacy and defense
- Pakistan-based citizens and civil society organizations
- Independent international digital rights organizations
- UN and global multilateral organizations
- Governmental and other sources
Information technology experts stress on empowering women in Pakistan
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Information technology (IT) experts underscored the pivotal role of female workforce participation in accelerating Pakistan’s IT-sector exports, urging implementation of inclusive policies in this regard.
Innovation and technology to improve the lives and rights of women in Pakistan
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source: United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
Innovation and technology have the potential to open new doors for the empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups in Pakistan. Through the introduction and scaling up of digital innovations, women will be able to realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Artificial intelligence and gender equality
Date: March 9, 2024 – Source: The News
Artificial intelligence (AI) should be used to forge a gender-equal world, with workplaces in Pakistan proactively ensuring that emerging technology advances gender parity.
SECTION 3: Digital rights violations and protections
- Citizens and netizens – including case studies
- Media, journalists and other information practitioners
- Online free speech
- Online access to information
- Privacy violations
- Data protection
- Surveillance
- Misinformation / disinformation / fake news
- Cybercrime
Detained journalist accused of ‘malicious’ social media campaign on hunger strike
Date: March 1, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Pakistan Today
According to his lawyer, detained journalist Asad Toor has been on hunger strike since his arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over charges of a social media campaign against judges of the Supreme Court (SC).
NADRA acting on JIT proposals on cybersecurity issues
Date: March 2, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Minute Mirror
In compliance with the recommendations presented by the joint investigation team (JIT), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) initiated steps to deliver its services in an improved manner to ensure optimal security.
X blockade in Pakistan ‘red flag’ for investors, creates gap for disinformation, say experts
Date: March 2, 2024 – Source: The Nation
Experts at NetBlocks, a global digital access monitor, view the blockade of X as a cause for disruption in Pakistan’s digital economy and the dissemination of unchecked disinformation.
Amid X outage, ban sought on all social media in Pakistan
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
A resolution, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Bahramand Tangi, to ban all social media platforms in Pakistan is set for discussion in the Senate. The resolution seeks a blanket ban to protect the younger generation from social media’s ‘negative and devastating’ effects.
The problem with Pakistan’s tech vision
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While politicians paint a rosy picture of a Digital Pakistan, those on the ground decry the lack of infrastructure, constant headaches in doing business, overweening censorship, a lack of consultation and haphazardly designed policies.
HRCP warns against social media curbs
Date: March 4, 2024 – Source 1: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Source 2: Dawn
The Human Rights of Pakistan (HRCP) opposed a proposed Senate resolution seeking to ban all social media platforms and warned members of the upper house that such ‘ill-judged’ measures violate people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
Date: March 4, 2024 – Source: The News
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) needs a policy framework to guide the industry and AI-based content creators about what they can create and what they cannot produce. If someone is creating AI-based malicious data, they must be punished as if they were making firearms without license.
Senator withdraws resolution to ban social media
Date: March 5, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Digital Rights Monitor (DRM)
The Senate resolution seeking a permanent ban on all social media platforms in Pakistan was withdrawn following strong disapproval. It was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Tangi, who called for a ban to protect the younger generation from social media’s negative effects.
Islamabad High Court summons PTA’s chairperson to clarify position on audio leak
Date: March 5, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman in the audio leak case, after his counsel denied that the regulatory body had given any permission for call interception.
Intelligence Bureau ‘neither confirms, nor denies’ phone tapping
Date: March 5, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The head of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that they could not fix responsibility of audio tapping on anyone without an investigation and stressed that the agency could neither deny, nor confirm recording private phone calls.
Islamabad High Court issues notice to PTA, information ministry on closure of X
Date: March 6, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the information ministry on a plea challenging the unannounced ban on social media platform X.
CCP warns Pakistan’s social media influencers against deceptive marketing practices
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) issued a warning to social media influencers and content creators, urging them to avoid advertising practices that may deceive online consumers.
Pakistan enters fourth week of nationwide X disruption
Date: March 9, 2024 – Source 1: France 24, Source 2: Arab News
Pakistan entered its fourth week of nationwide disruption to social media platform X, with activists waging a court battle to get it restored. The platform was blocked after Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) called for protests against a government official’s admission of vote manipulation.
Pakistani court sentences two for sending ‘blasphemous material’ on WhatsApp
Date: March 9, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: BBC Online
An additional district and sessions court in Gujrat sentenced a 22-year-old accused of blasphemy to death, while sending another accused to jail for life in the same case. The two suspects had been booked for sharing blasphemous material through WhatsApp.
X factor: Twitter ban hits businesses, news in Pakistan
Date: March 10, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Arab News, Source 3: Eco-Business
From business owners fretting over lost clients to journalists seeking news sources, Pakistanis want the federal government to restore regular access to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, which has been restricted since February 2024.
NCRC warns government, civil society of growing child online harassment cases in Pakistan
Date: March 12, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) warned that government functionaries, judiciary and civil society have to be strengthened to counter and prevent growing cases of online harassment of children in Pakistan.
Date: March 13, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The state must clear the cyber environment with stringent implementation of laws and the transport of funds to ensure safe navigation for children. While an ever-transforming web space is not easy to guard, it cannot grow into a death trap for children’s mental and social health.
Rights activists, civil society seek unrestricted access to X in Pakistan
Date: March 14, 2024 – Source: The News
Human rights activists and civil society organizations sought immediate resumption of X, formerly Twitter, in a joint statement expressing profound concern over the increasing instances of internet shutdowns and social media platform blocking in Pakistan.
Phone hacking in Pakistan has become ‘too easy’, admits PTA chief
Date: March 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Hafeezur Rehman admitted before a bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that phone hacking had become ‘too easy’, with 90 percent of mobile handsets containing ‘viruses’ that can operate inbuilt cameras, compromising privacy of data.
Date: March 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Long before Pakistan’s government imposed its unannounced ban on social media platform X, TikTok was shut down four times between 2020 and 2021. YouTube was also temporarily banned in the recent past. But the TikTok story in the United States takes us far beyond Pakistan’s own militarized context.
Stakeholders call for fair, responsible artificial intelligence use for consumers
Date: March 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Network for Consumer Protection (NCP) called for the fair and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) for consumers. AI can only be used with reduced risks and increased benefits if these technologies are programmed to follow consumer-friendly ethical standards and principles.
Audio leaks case: Only federal government can allow phone tapping, Islamabad High Court told
Date: March 15, 2024 – Source: The News
A counsel for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that only the federal government was empowered to authorize phone tapping on grounds of national security or fear of any crime, not the PTA or any other subservient organization.
Date: March 16, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Revelations about the ease of mobile phone hacking by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have brought into focus the egregious manner in which citizens’ privacy rights are violated. The sanctity of personal communication is under threat, with the existing legal framework insufficient to protect it.
Amnesty International urges Pakistan’s government to restore unrestricted access to X
Date: March 17, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) called on Pakistan’s government for the immediate restoration of unrestricted public access to social media platform X, which has been blocked in the country for over a month.
Government vows legal action against social media attacks on martyred soldiers
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar denounced a social media campaign targeting soldiers of Pakistan Army that were killed in a targeted attack in North Waziristan, vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
PTI endorses Amnesty International’s call for restoration of X
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: The Print
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) endorsed Amnesty International’s (AI) demand for the immediate restoration of social media platform X, stating that Pakistan had become a ‘laughing stock’ in the international community due to unjustified restrictions on the online exchange of information.
Contradicting earlier access claims, government confirms suspension of platform X
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Arab News
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar acknowledged the suspension of social media platform X in Pakistan, days after claiming it was accessible to online users across the country.
Interior minister calls for revisiting social media laws
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Arab News
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan needed ‘better laws’ to regulate internet free speech, as disruption of social media platform X stretched into its fifth week.
Pakistan blocks over 450 social media accounts for ‘spreading hate’
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: The Nation
The Counter Extremism Unit (CEU) of the Federal Capital Police (FCP) launched a crackdown on ‘anti-state’ actors involved in running online hate speech campaigns, shutting down over 450 social media accounts in the process.
Islamabad High Court to appoint amici curiae in online defamatory campaign case
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to appoint amici curiae (friends of the court) in the case of defamatory campaigns against state institutions and objectionable content on electronic or social media.
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source: The News
Given the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem dominated by generative artificial intelligence (AI), Pakistan needs to craft policies to ensure fair and responsible AI for consumers – a global issue that may not have an adequate national response.
Interior ministry admits closure of X due to intelligence reports
Date: March 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A counsel for the Federal Ministry of Interior informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that social media platform X was blocked till further orders on reports furnished by intelligence agencies.
Date: March 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government finally seems to have acknowledged, albeit indirectly, that social media platform X is inaccessible in Pakistan. It has taken authorities over a month to progress from plain denial to sheepish obfuscation.
Peshawar High Court puts government, PTA on notice over restrictions on X
Date: March 22, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to respond to a petition against access restrictions on social media platform X.
Pakistan’s power sector operations faced 40 million cyber threats in 2023
Date: March 22, 2024 – Source: The News
According to the Power Information Technology Company (PITC), digital security systems prevented 39.5 million out of 40 million cyber threats to Pakistan’s power sector operations in 2023.
Islamabad High Court questions conflicting online meeting rules in jails
Date: March 23, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) questioned why the Adiala Jail administration had refused to grant access to lawyers of former prime minister Imran Khan online access to their client, despite the inauguration of such facilities in central jails in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Date: March 25, 2024 – Source: Dawn
It is unacceptable that an entire social media platform with significance in the democratic political discourse, a platform that gives citizens a voice, and the ability to access information, be blocked right after elections when credible evidence of rigging surfaces.
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source: The News
It is evident just how accountable the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is – even before the courts. Not only have PTA officials lied publicly and in court but they continue to obfuscate and violate court orders with impunity regarding restoration of social media platform X.
Information minister laments social media’s fake news
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar regretted that content regulation seemed to be missing on social media, which has become a source of fake news for consumers.
JIT report reveals data of over 2.7 million Pakistani citizens compromised over five years
Date: March 27, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Agencia EFE
A joint investigation team (JIT), tasked by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to probe a data leak, told the Interior Ministry that particulars of as many as 2.7 million Pakistani citizens had been compromised between 2019 and 2023.
Anti-terrorism court grants post-arrest bail to social media activist
Date: March 28, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted post-arrest bail to social media activist Sanam Javed in a case of attacking a police station in Lahore during violent riots following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in May 2023.
Date: March 28, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A digitized world leaves no room for security gaps. Pakistan must prioritize the protection of its citizens’ privacy and ensure that their data remains secure. Failure to do so would not only undermine individual rights but also hinder socioeconomic progress and security.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Government to inject diverted funds into its digital infrastructure initiative
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government decided to divert funds worth Rs10 billion from provincial projects for their injection into the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative (DIII).
Pakistan Single Window facility to take over WeBOC
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government decided to transfer the Web-based One Custom (WeBOC) system of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), which works under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), to the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) under a restructuring and reforms drive.
Jazz, TenX become partners to further artificial intelligence agenda
Date: March 7, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation
Jazz announced its partnership with TenX to upgrade its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems to turn raw data into useful information for future predictions.
Pakistan inks host of deals at technology event in Riyadh
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Arab News
Leading Pakistani companies signed multiple deals and partnership agreements with their global counterparts at the LEAP 2024, a technology event hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.
Prime Minister seeks detailed roadmap to boost Pakistan’s information technology exports
Date: March 13, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
Appreciating an increase in the export volume of Pakistan’s information technology (IT) services to more than $3 billion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a comprehensive roadmap to further boost IT exports.
Pakistan’s biggest information technology park to be set up in Islamabad
Date: March 14, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Board of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved allotment of land for the establishment of Pakistan’s largest information technology (IT) park in Islamabad.
Mobile, internet banking preferred mode of digital transactions in Pakistan
Date: March 14, 2024 – Source 1: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Source 2: The News
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), mobile and internet banking platforms remained the preferred mode of financial transactions for Pakistanis as these two channels account for half of all digital transactions in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023-24.
Federal Bureau of Revenue partners with Karandaaz for digitalization
Date: March 16, 2024 – Source 1: Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), Source 2: Dawn
The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) entered into an agreement with Karandaaz for the digitalization of Pakistan’s tax system in line with the reforms approved by the tax administration.
Committee set up to curb mobile smuggling in Pakistan
Date: March 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A dedicated committee was set up under the Customs Department (CD) by the federal government to devise a mechanism against rising cases of mobile handset smuggling in Pakistan.
Date: March 18, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan has been enthusiastic about jumping on the information technology (IT) bandwagon. In this regard, it is encouraging that the government has approved the creation of an expansive IT park through public-private partnership (PPP) in the federal capital, aimed at facilitating digital freelancers.
SECP issues call center, advertisement guidelines for digital lenders operating in Pakistan
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued guidelines to companies involved in digital lending to ensure best practices in advertisements and call center management.
Sindh government to introduce digital payment system for Karachi’s bus service initiative
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Observer (PO)
The Sindh government decided to introduce a digital prepaid system to gradually replace cash payments for all operations running under its Peoples Bus Service initiative in Karachi.
K-P government wants content creators to promote ancient sites
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government decided to hire popular content creators working on TikTok for the promotion of the Gandhara civilization and Hindu and Sikh places of worship across the province.
Punjab government to launch application for providing civic services at home
Date: March 21, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Observer (PO)
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered authorities to launch a digital application meant for citizens to access ten governmental services through the use of their smartphones.
Jazz invests Rs37 billion to improve Pakistan’s digital ecosystem
Date: March 22, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation
Telecommunication operator Jazz invested Rs37 billion in 2023 to support Pakistan’s growing data demand and strengthen the digital ecosystem in areas including financial technology, cloud services and data analytics.
Pakistani startups face steep funding downturn
Date: March 22, 2024 – Source: Dawn
According to a report released by Indus Valley Capital (IVC), the total funding raised by Pakistani startups in 2023 was $75.8 million, a decline of 77 per cent compared to the preceding year.
Initiative launched to foster K-P’s online gaming industry
Date: March 23, 2024 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Dawn
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a partnership with Mindstorm Studio – Pakistan’s premier game development studio – aimed at fostering the digital gaming industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
SIFC approves establishment of Pakistan’s largest IT park
Date: March 16, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) approved the establishment of Pakistan’s largest information technology (IT) park in the federal capital.
Sustainability of digital trade
Date: March 30, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s ailing economy is undergoing a process of revival. The country’s economic wizards have placed a lot of bets on information technology (IT) in the hope that the enormous potential of this sector can help alleviate economic woes.
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OBJECTIVES: This series of monthly report aims to:
- Track developments revolving around the framework of digitalization in Pakistan including policy and advocacy on digital rights, policy enforcements and digital rights violations, covering viewpoints of government, civil society, human rights community including digital rights campaigners, media, citizen journalists and other information practitioners, and regulators of electronic media, internet and telecom sectors, and netizens.
- Monitor the interface between digital rights and Pakistan’s overall legal framework and how developments around them impact freedom of expression and access to information online as well as diversity and pluralism in Pakistan’s digital landscape, cyberspace and internet domains.
- Follow developments around the themes of digital rights, freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, surveillance, data protection, access to internet services, telecom policies, etc.
INFORMATION SOURCES: This report monitors, among others, the following sources of information:
- Government: Federal and provincial cabinets
- Ministries: Related ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) and Telecom, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Commerce and Industry, etc.
- Legislatures: Senate, National Assembly, provincial assemblies, relevant standing committees
- Regulators: Pakistan telecommunications Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Press Council of Pakistan (PPC), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), etc.
- Global organizations: UN/Unesco, International Media Support (IMS), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), etc.
- National organizations: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), BoloBhi, Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD), Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), etc.
- Media: Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Today, The Friday Times, etc.
- Social Media:Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Local networks: Journalists Safety Hubs Network, Alliance on Diversity & Pluralism in Media, etc.
- Research groups: Gallup Pakistan, IPSOS Pakistan, etc.
