DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – July 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. 7 – July 2023 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
Jazz eyes doubling telecommunication revenues in four years
Date: July 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Jazz Pakistan has divided the company into four segments and aims to double its revenues in four years. In a statement, the company announced that its focus will remain on the core business, and it will expand the outreach and capacity of its 4G network in semi-urban and rural areas.
Cellular, internet services suspended in various regions till Ashura
Date: July 15, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation
The Balochistan government decided to suspend mobile phone and internet services in the provincial capital and some other sensitive districts during four days of Muharram. Other provincial governments also announced similar decisions, barring their residents’ access to online information.
Facebook, Instagram users in Pakistan face outages
Date: July 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A restriction on access to social media platforms Facebook and Instagram was reported to be in effect across multiple service providers in Pakistan, reportedly for ‘security’ purposes during Ashura.
Global internet outage disrupts travel, healthcare and banks
Date: July 20, 2023 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Associated Press, Source 3: USA Today
A global technology and internet outage disrupted operations across multiple industries, with airlines halting flights, some broadcasters off air and services from banking to healthcare hit by system problems.
Federal government withdraws letter giving concessions to LDIs
Date: July 24, 2024 – Source: The News
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication withdrew its initial notification that provided concessions to Long Distance International (LDI) companies on recovery of billions of rupees in dues.
Trial of firewall causing slow internet speeds across Pakistan
Date: July 25, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The trial run of a firewall by the federal government resulted in slowing down of the internet and social media, sparking fear about the future of internet-based businesses in Pakistan.
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
Bridging the digital gender divide
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan needs concrete action plans tailored to diverse regions, robust public-private partnerships, and a relentless focus on implementation. Let’s not squander the potential of a generation of Arfa Karims waiting to be empowered.
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
The surveillance system keeping tabs on millions
Date: July 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Telecommunication companies in Pakistan are running a mass surveillance system which ‘enables interception of data and records of customers’ without any regulatory mechanism or legal procedures, on the orders of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Islamabad High Court allows telecom operators to share suspects’ data with police
Date: July 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) allowed cellular companies to share data related to suspects for investigation in post-crime scenarios, as scores of inquiries remained halted due to a previous order, restraining telecommunication operators from facilitating law enforcement agencies.
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s security apparatus listens to what ordinary citizens are talking about on their phones, reads the messages they exchange with other people, and watches what they do on the internet. This startling revelation has come to light recently, thanks to a submission to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has mandated telecommunication companies to finance, import, and install a system enabling mass surveillance of citizens’ data. This information was revealed in a case at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding illegal surveillance of citizens.
Government steps up efforts to regulate social media
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government stepped up its efforts to regulate social media through a bill that would empower the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as the principal authority for the overarching approval of any sectoral plans prepared by the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA).
FBR blocks over 200,000 cellular connections to encourage tax payment
Date: July 4, 2024 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) said it had blocked 210,000 cellular connections of users who had not filed income tax returns in a bid to widen the revenue bracket.
Date: July 8, 2024 – Source: The News
Isolating people from the future and new avenues of information is the hallmark of authoritarian regimes. This is the only way to secure permanent control, by basically freezing time. Sadly, what this means for the country is being frozen in place and getting left further behind by everyone else.
National security ‘under threat’ from X, claims interior ministry
Date: July 9, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In its reply placed before the Sindh High Court (SHC), the Ministry of Interior defended the months-long ban on social media platform X on the grounds that it is a ‘threat to peace and national security’ as it spreads ‘misinformation and incites violence’.
Pakistan’s government allows spy agency to trace, intercept calls, messages
Date: July 9, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Reuters
The federal cabinet formally authorized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages or trace a call in the interest of national security or in apprehension of a crime.
Government defends eavesdropping permit for intelligence agency
Date: July 10, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Voice of America (VOA)
The federal government’s move to authorize officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept and record telephone calls and messages in the interest of ‘national security’ elicited vociferous criticism from the opposition and digital privacy activists.
How audio leaks led to ‘permission to intercept’
Date: July 10, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The practice of tapping phones and intercepting calls and messages of those suspected of being engaged in criminal, terrorist or anti-state activities is certainly not new for Pakistan, but the government has now given it legal cover.
Government, PTI trade barbs in parliament over nod for call tracing
Date: July 10, 2024 – Source: The News
In response to the government’s formally allowing the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to tap phones of citizens to counter threats to national security, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) announced to challenge the move in court.
Senior Pakistani lawyers challenge intelligence agency’s surveillance powers
Date: July 12, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The decision of the federal government to allow the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept citizens’ call and messages, was challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by members of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), who asked the court to declare the notification null and void.
Islamabad High Court to hear plea against intelligence agency’s call interception powers
Date: July 13, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) admitted a petition for regular hearing filed by six Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) members challenging the federal government’s decision to empower the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages.
Government to set up new agency to fight cybercrimes, other criminal activities
Date: July 13, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Arab News
The federal cabinet approved a decision to set up a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to ‘eradicate cybercrimes and other criminal activities through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart digital technology.
Pakistan calls for UN cyber governance
Date: July 13, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
A senior Pakistani diplomat called for a United Nations-backed legally-binding comprehensive framework to govern the global cyber space that he was the common heritage of mankind.
IGP asks FIA to take action against fake websites, social media accounts of Sindh police
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
In a letter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon requested the agency’s assistance in locating and taking action against fake websites and social media accounts disseminating misinformation regarding officers of the Sindh police.
Police on toes to curb online hate
Date: July 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
As over 6,000 policemen were deployed to ensure security on Ashura in Rawalpindi, law enforcers were also keeping a keen eye on social media to curb religious and communal hatred in online spaces.
Court cautions PTI activist against posting controversial material on social media
Date: July 19, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reprimanded and cautioned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed against posting content with ‘inappropriate’ language on social media, before granting her release on bail.
Sindh High Court issues notices in ISI ‘interception’ powers case
Date: July 23, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the cabinet division, ministry of interior and other respondents on a petition impugning a federal government’s decision that gave the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) powers to intercept phone calls and messages.
Date: July 24, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While some of the anti-state propaganda on social media may indeed be orchestrated by vested interests, one cannot label criticism of the establishment’s involvement in politics and its questionable actions in suppressing democratic freedom ‘digital terrorism’.
Federal Bureau of Revenue blocks SIM of late chief economist
Date: July 24, 2024 – Source: The News
The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) sent out tax notices and blocked the cellular connection of former chief economist Dr Pervaiz Tahir, who died in September 2023, for not filing his return.
Lahore High Court refers ‘forgery’ in police records digitization case to larger bench
Date: July 25, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Justice Ali Zia Bajwa referred the matter of alleged alteration/fabrication in the digitized and computerized record of the Punjab police to be heard by a larger bench, given the far-reaching implications of the matter.
PML-N defends internet firewall, stresses regulation of social media
Date: July 27, 2024 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) defended the federal government’s decision to introduce an internet firewall citing the non-implementation of laws and regulations regarding social media due to a lack of relevant technical resources, the capacity of authorities and state institutions.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
CPEC opens doors to tech-driven initiatives in Pakistan
Date: July 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima said that the all-weather strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China had opened doors to unparalleled opportunities in the information technology sector.
Information technology experts decry unfair tax policies
Date: July 4, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Information technology professionals in Pakistan voiced concerns that taxing the salaried class and computer hardware amid rampant inflation is misguided. They argued that the government should exempt these categories from taxes.
Google Chromebooks to be provided to 200 schools in Punjab
Date: July 5, 2024 – Source: The News
Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Tech Valley (TV) signed an agreement to provide 200 schools in Punjab with Google Chromebooks in a bid to enhance digital inclusivity and access.
Pakistan’s Intellectual Property ranking improves from 119 to 88
Date: July 8, 2024 – Source: The News
The Senate Committee on Commerce was informed that Pakistan’s Intellectual Property ranking improved from 119th in 2016 to 88th in 2023 in the Global Innovation Index and compliance with IPR standards also improved as per the USTR Special 301 Report 2023.
Government shuns legal route for outstanding PTCL dues
Date: July 13, 2023 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: The Pakistan Daily
Pakistan ruled out a legal route for resolving a 16-year-old dispute with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the outstanding privatization proceeds of $800 million but hoped that a breakthrough would be achieved in the next four months.
75 community teachers to teach coding, artificial intelligence at primary level schools
Date: July 14, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While it is a herculean task to hire regular teachers through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), the ministry of education decided to hire 75 community teachers in collaboration with technology service provider TSP to teach coding and artificial intelligence (AI) at primary level.
Digitized mechanism: Court highlights fabrication, forgery in police record
Date: July 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) observed that computerization and digitization of the Punjab Police department’s had opened floodgates for fabrication and alteration, resulting in violations of the fundamental rights of both the complainants and the accused in the cases.
Federal government gradually returning Rs60 billion ‘borrowed’ from USF
Date: July 20, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The federal government will return longstanding funds of over Rs60 billion to the Universal Service Fund (USF) in multiple installments, borrowed in 2013 for clearing power sector circular debt.
Prime Minister wants IT park completed before deadline
Date: July 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the project team of Islamabad Technology Park and the information technology ministry to complete the project within the current year instead of the set deadline of June 2025.
AI journey: fueled by data, not hype
Date: July 21, 2024 – Source: The News
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranked Pakistan 117th out of 177 countries in artificial intelligence (AI) readiness. Advances technology is the driving force behind modern states. Any state or society that lags in technology and innovation risks being left behind.
SBP pins hopes on Raast getting linked to Arab regional payment system within a year
Date: July 23, 2024 – Source: The News
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) remained optimistic that within a year, its instant payment system, Raast, will be linked to the Arab regional payment system, Buna, which will help boost remittances, sent home by Pakistani workers living abroad through official channels.
NAB begins probe into PTA ‘failure’ to recover dues from telecommunication firms
Date: July 26, 2024 – Source: The News
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated an inquiry into the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) alleged failure to recover billions of rupees in dues from telecommunication companies.
Pakistan’s homegrown alternate to WhatsApp tested
Date: July 28, 2024 – Source: The News
A new messaging application, branded as a local alternative to WhatsApp, is set for launch among government employees and later, the public. The application supports audio, video, messaging, conference calls for up to 200 people, and document sharing.
____________________________________________________________
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.
