DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – August 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. 8 – August 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
Nationwide internet disruption hits PTCL users
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Amid issues with media uploads on WhatsApp via mobile data, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Ufone users faced significant internet disruptions, with users across the country reporting outages and erratic service speeds.
Senate panel concerned about ‘poor’ quality of cellular mobile services
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications expressed reservations over the deterioration of cellular mobile services, while observing that despite the fact that infrastructure exists, consumers were facing connectivity issues across the country.
Government rightsizing drive starts with IT ministry
Date: August 4, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication instructed its subordinate institutions to implement the recommendations of the government’s Institutional Reforms Committee for rightsizing. The government decided to close the Telecom Foundation and privatize subsidiaries.
Date: August 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The five stages of internet governance in Pakistan seem to be as follows: curb, deny, double down, reluctantly admit, and repeat. By now, nearly every smartphone user in Pakistan has experienced interruptions to WhatsApp among other short-message service applications.
Heightened surveillance blamed for cyber slowdown in Pakistan
Date: August 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Amid growing concerns from the business community, the internet service providers alleged that the government’s heightened efforts to monitor internet traffic had resulted in a significant nationwide slowdown of services.
Internet slowdown persists in Pakistan amid social media users’ outcry
Date: August 15, 2024 – Source: The News
Internet users across the country reported facing ongoing slowdowns, partial outages, and glitches, with service providers unable to offer explanations, and no word from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the top cyber regulator.
Government moves to bolster national cyber security
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
With the vowed aim to improve national cyber security, the federal government formed a ten-member Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) council. The council is assigned to create a national framework that will manage responses to threats and assaults on vital infrastructure.
Lahore High Court questions government seriousness in fixing internet disruptions
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) grilled the state counsel for his lack of knowledge and seriousness about recent internet disruptions across the country and expressed its intent to pass an appropriate order on the matter.
Lahore High Court asks government, PTA to explain internet disruptions
Date: August 18, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notices to the federal government, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in response to a petition challenging disruptions in internet services across the country.
Government pins blame for internet issues on ‘use of VPNs’
Date: August 19, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima denied the involvement of the government as the reason behind the recent internet slowdown in the country. Instead, the minister blamed the excessive use of VPNs by internet users behind the disruptions.
Islamabad High Court seeks government input on net slowdown case
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Arab News
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the secretaries of the cabinet and interior and human rights division, as well as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in a petition filed by journalist Hamid Mir against slowing down the internet in Pakistan.
What’s happening with the internet in Pakistan?
Date: August 22, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s internet has once again found itself under the digital microscope. In recent months, users reported experiencing sluggish speeds, difficulty in downloading media on WhatsApp, and intermittent internet connectivity issues.
Starlink, other broadband companies intend to start operations in Pakistan, NA told
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source: The News
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the National Assembly (NA) that Starlink and other satellite broadband companies were making significant strides to start operations in Pakistan.
Government informs parliament about internet accessibility initiatives
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source: Dawn
During the question hour, the National Assembly (NA) was informed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was taking various initiatives, including allowing an additional six gigahertz spectrum band, to increase the accessibility of the public to the internet.
PTA blames slow internet on submarine cables fault
Date: August 28, 2024 – Source: The News
Internet services experienced severe disruptions and slow speeds for which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) came up with the excuse that it got affected due to a fault in two out of seven submarine cables.
PTA using web monitoring system to block online content in Pakistan
Date: August 29, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The federal minister in charge for the cabinet division informed the National Assembly (NA) that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was using the controversial Web Monitoring System (WMS) to block online applications and websites 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
IT ministry coy as AIC raises red flags on government’s data localization plans
Date: August 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) said Pakistan’s data localization plans will harm its digital economy. The presented a report detailing this harm at a roundtable discussion with the government. A statement issued by the government after the meeting made no mention of the AIC’s report or its concerns.
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
Only in-camera briefing on firewall, government tells Senate panel
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: The News
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication of its willingness to give an in-camera briefing on the renewal of LID/FLL licenses and on firewall on social media.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority admits plan to limit VPN use in works
Date: August 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Hafeezur Rehman confirmed before the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat a plan to regulate the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) in Pakistan by whitelisting some proxy networks and blocking others.
Punjab government backs ‘regulated’ social media
Date: August 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While backing a ‘regulated’ social media, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government may lift the ban on X (formerly Twitter) if social media rules and regulations are framed.
PTA confirms whitelisting VPNs in Pakistan amid ban reports
Date: August 4, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: The Financial Daily
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed that it was implementing an automated process to whitelist virtual private networks (VPNs) to ensure the ‘smooth and secure’ functioning of information technology (IT) services and online businesses.
Date: August 5, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Sadly, women will also bear the brunt of state efforts to control the digital realm. This will be due to a vicious cycle in which women will turn to feminist activism or political protest to defend their rights, and then find those rights further trampled through digital surveillance and censorship.
Former PM to pursue legal action for footage of May 9 incident
Date: August 11, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub Khan announced that former prime minister and incarcerated party founder Imran Khan intends to take legal action to obtain the video footage of the controversial events of May 9.
PTA to block SIMs on cancelled or expired identity cards
Date: August 13, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced its move to block SIM cards linked to expired, cancelled, or deceased individuals’ national identity cards (NICs).
Army chief sees foreign hand in ‘digital terrorism’
Date: August 14, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Army Chief General Asim Munir blamed foreign powers for a wave of ‘digital terrorism’, which he said aimed to create a gulf between state institutions and the people of Pakistan.
Government finally admits it is tinkering with the internet
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Dawn
After months of speculation about the installation of a so-called ‘firewall’, the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication confirmed that the government was indeed upgrading its ‘web management system’ to cope with cyber security threats.
PTA starts blocking of illegal cellular connections
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) started blocking illegal cellular connections. In the first phase, fake SIMs and SIMs on cancelled identity cards were being blocked on the basis of data obtained from the National Data and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Man sentenced to nine years in prison for sharing woman’s obscene videos on YouTube
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A judicial magistrate in Karachi sentenced accused Lutuf Ali to total nine years in prison for sharing obscene videos of a female content creator on WhatsApp and committing offences against her dignity and modesty.
Jemima Goldsmith reveals blocking emails from Pakistan due to ‘harassment’
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Jemima Goldsmith, the former spouse of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, revealed that she had to block emails from Pakistan due to alleged cyber harassment. She posted a statement on X blaming opponents of her former husband’s party for the alleged harassment.
MNCs’ local offices best by internet woes in Pakistan
Date: August 18, 2024 – Source: Dawn
According to the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), the back offices of multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Pakistan are facing issues due to the disturbance in internet services, which is damaging their businesses.
Reports of cyberattack on ATMs untrue, says 1LINK
Date: August 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
1LINK, one of Pakistan’s largest payment gateways, denied reports, circulating on social media, that automated teller machines (ATMs) will remain closed for two to three days due to a cyberattack.
Date: August 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
More material is the social toll of less inclusive, more predatory socities. In our highly weaponized and already conflict-prone context this would manifest as surveillance as a trigger of violence.
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The state minister for information technology continued to waffle. The government denied its responsibility for the anemic internet speeds being experienced by millions. The frequent, unannounced degradation in internet connectivity is being secretly implemented by the state.
Supreme Court halts IHC proceedings in audio leaks case
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) halted the Islamabad High Court (IHC) proceedings in the audio leaks case while also suspending its order in which the capital’s high court had initiated contempt proceedings against key officials of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Supreme Court bars IHC from proceeding with audio leaks case
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source: Dawn
After accepting the federal government’s appeal challenging an Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) barred the high court from proceeding with the audio leaks case,
instituted on petitions filed by former first lady Bushra Bibi.
Audio leaks commission never met in over a year, regrets Supreme Court
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), in a written order on audio leaks case, regretted that a three-man inquiry commission formed to prove the veracity of audio leaks was never fixed fore hearing after its last hearing on May 27, 2023.
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: The News
In a country where Quetta still awaits for a motorway and tax evasion is practically a national sport, it is ironic that the state’s primary concern seems to be what you might be whispering into a friend’s ear on WhatsApp. The focus on silencing social media is not just a misplaced priority – it’s a tragedy.
PTA chief concedes ‘firewall’ being upgraded
Date: August 22, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Hafeezur Rehman admitted that upgradation of the National Firewall System (NFS) or Web Management System (WMS) was under way for controlling or removing contents from social media, following directives received from executives or courts.
Senate panel unconvinced by PTA briefing on ‘X ban’
Date: August 23, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed displeasure at the briefing by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials on the slowdown of internet services and the ban on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Amnesty International seeks transparency on surveillance technology use
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source 1: Amnesty International (AI), Source 2: Dawn
Amnesty International (AI) called on Pakistani authorities to provide greater transparency on the nationwide internet slowdown and the use of monitoring and surveillance technologies.
Over 20,000 VPN service providers registered with PTA for whitelisting
Date: August 28, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Daily Times
A total of 20,437 virtual private networks (VPNs) had registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Under the VPN whitelisting process, so far 1,422 companies had registered their VPNs with the telecommunication regulator.
Artificial intelligence and gender-based violence
Date: August 30, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The existing mechanism, artificial intelligence-based or otherwise, under the Cybercrime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has largely been ineffective in addressing the countless complaints of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
One-link system for excise tax payments launched in Sindh
Date: August 3, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Sindh Excise and Taxation Department announced syncing its current taxation system with the ‘One-link’ stream, enabling citizens to pay taxes online while sitting at their homes.
Prime Minister forms task force to digitize tax collection
Date: August 6, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a high-powered 10-member task force to oversee the comprehensive digitalization of the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR). The task force, chaired by Ali Pervaiz Malik, includes members from both public and private sector.
Islamabad’s first-ever drone show to be part of independence day celebrations
Date: August 11, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Reviewing preparations of independence day celebrations, Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa was informed that the festivities will include Islamabad’s first-ever drone show.
Prime Minister announces high-tech gadgets for students
Date: August 13, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to allocate ample resources to the nation’s youth, adding that the federal government will provide one million smartphones, tablets and laptops to top-performing students across the country.
FBR’s task force reviews impact of digitalization
Date: August 14, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The new task force commissioned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met to discuss progress on the digitalization of the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and its impact on tax base expansion.
RMC set to launch Punjab’s first freelance IT hub
Date: August 14, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) completed its preparations for the launch of Punjab’s first freelance information technology (IT) hub. The initiative is designed to train and provide opportunities for 1,200 young men and women.
Pakistan’s gaming industry grows, shifts focus to global play
Date: August 15, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan’s gaming industry is on track towards growth, with locally developed games witnessing a slight uptick after a four-year decline. However, Pakistani-developed games remain unpopular in the country. Experts suggest that developers target the global market for better returns.
Uproar as ‘firewall’ singes information technology businesses
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Several businesses and customers, who rely heavily on internet for their work, vociferously opposed the federal government’s decision to install a firewall on the internet that has resulted in the disruption across the country. Stakeholders seek to shift the blame as internet disruptions cause $500 million losses to businesses.
Four technology zones set up amid increased surveillance
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) announced the creation of four new special technology zones (STZs), with an investment of Rs30 billion in infrastructure. The initiative aims to generate 50,000 jobs and boost information technology exports by $350 million.
Pakistani freelancers marked ‘unavailable’ on Fiverr
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Fiverr, one of the world’s largest online freelance marketplaces, labelled the accounts of several Pakistani service providers as ‘unavailable’ as internet disruptions impacted their ability to complete their projects on time.
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The current internet clampdown is affecting call centers, freelancers, software developers, digital marketers and many other sub-sectors. The latest hybrid regime started off exhorting the need for foreign investment, and has now succeeded in thwarting its own stated imperative.
Pakistani e-lancers in a quandary
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Reports emerged that Pakistani freelancers on online service marketplace Fiverr were being shown as ‘unavailable’ on the platform, sparking widespread concern and uncertainty among the community.
KP ombudsman secretariat to be digitized
Date: August 19, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: The Nation
Provincial Ombudsman Syed Jamaluddin Shah said a plan had been prepared to digitize the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsman Secretariat records and introduce Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to boost the efficiency of the staff.
Information technology exports surge 33.6pc in July
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) export remittances surged to $286 million in July, the first month of the 2024-25 financial year, marking a 33.6 per cent increase compared to the $214 million remitted during the same period last year.
Prime Minister orders switch to e-office system for cargo operations
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued directives to ensure the digitization of government functions to facilitate the online operationalization of cargo services offered at the Gwadar cargo port.
The ‘sunk cost’ of doing e-business
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
No line of work that relies on the internet has been immune to recent disruptions and outages. Even before the recent disruptions, Pakistan was among the countries with the slowest internet speed.
Online apostille application system launched at foreign ministry
Date: August 22, 2024 – Source: The News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) launched the Apostille Convention in Islamabad, aiming to streamline the authentication process for public documents intended for international use.
Date: August 23, 2024 – Source: The News
The first negative impact of e-commerce is the manufacturing and utilization of packaging materials like plastic, bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes. It involves environmental costs that need to be taken care of.
Telecommunication operators write to PM over internet crisis
Date: March 23, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Telecommunication operators sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging immediate action to address the ongoing internet slowdown crisis. They warned that, due to the incumbent issues, the telecommunication sector could face an annual loss of Rs12 billion.
Prime Minister launches Buna-Raast connectivity project
Date: August 23, 2024 – Source 1: Radio Pakistan (RP), Source 2: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the Buna-Raast connectivity project, which would link the payment mechanism with the Arab Monetary Fund’s (AMF) system to facilitate millions of overseas Pakistanis in Arab countries to send remittances through a swift and effective method.
Punjab CM lauds LDA for starting online approval of building plans
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appreciated the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on starting online approval of residential building plans. Applications for such approvals can now be submitted through the department’s digital application or website.
Internet slowdown caused Rs65 billion loss to Pakistan in 2023
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source: The News
The internet shutdowns have cost more than Rs65 billion to Pakistan’s economy in 2023. Internet slowdowns in 2023 caused a total loss of $237.6 million to Pakistan’s economy and affected almost 83 million Pakistanis.
First-ever pitchathon highlights artificial intelligence potential in Pakistan
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source: The News
The National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT), in partnership with Meta, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, and Ignite National Technology Fund (INTF), hosted Pakistan’s first Meta Llama Pitchathon in the Asia-Pacific region.
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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.
