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. 6, No. 6 – June 2026 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
Senate panel concerned over degradation of internet, fuel theft at telecommunication sites
Date: June 1, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
A Senate subcommittee raised alarm over severe internet disruptions and rampant fuel theft at telecommunication sites, noting that over 9,200 incidents of theft and vandalism struck 16 percent of the country’s cellular infrastructure in just 11 months.
Pakistan’s domestic internet subscriptions surpass five million mark
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source: Dawn
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), domestic internet connections rose from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1 million in 2026. This surge was anticipated following the 5G spectrum auction, which generated $509 million in revenue.
Telecommunication bill seeking to impose Rs50 million penalty presented in Senate
Date: June 16, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The federal government moved the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Senate, seeking to empower the government to impose a fine up to Rs50 million on “any owner, lessee, tenant or entity that obstructs or delays the grant of rights” to a telecom system licensee.
‘Exploitative’ telecommunication bill deferred
Date: June 21, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The much-touted bill aimed at advancing fiberization across the country ran into trouble after a Senate committee deferred it, while criticism on social media targeted the information technology (IT) minister and sections of the telecommunication sector over what critics described as an ‘exploitative’ law.
Government clarifies telecommunication right of way bill
Date: June 21, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication clarified that the proposed Right of Way Bill 2026 will not allow the forcible acquisition of land or unauthorized entry into citizens’ private properties.
PPP to oppose telecommunication bill with ‘draconian clauses’
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said her party would not allow any legislation concerning the information technology sector or right of way provisions to pass through the Senate unless it undergoes detailed scrutiny by the relevant standing committee and is amended accordingly.
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The government has put together a bill which would allow telecommunication companies to lay fiber cable and put up towers wherever they wanted. Citizens, property owners and housing societies would have little option of saying no. It is a power similar to the one enjoyed by governments to acquire land.
Date: June 24, 2026 – Source: Dawn
There is no question about it: the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill of 2026 is a poorly written document at best, and a grossly negligent attempt at legislation at worst. The controversy it has unleashed has reached a point where treasury partners are refusing to approve it.
Law minister-led panel suggests major changes to language of telecom bill
Date: June 25, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
A committee constituted to review the Right of Way provisions incorporated in the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, submitted its interim report, reaffirming that private property rights and owner consent would remain protected under the proposed bill.
PPP senator urges Senate to reject telecom bill, cites threats to constitutional rights
Date: June 26, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani criticized the passage of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly, saying the legislation was approved without scrutiny and posed concerns for constitutionally protected rights.
Date: June 26, 2026 – Source: The News
Expanding fiber networks, improving connectivity, and easing right of way rules are vital for a digital economy. The Telecommunication Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was meant to deliver these goals but instead faces backlash over provisions seen as infringing on property and individual rights.
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
Pakistan’s mobile gender gap narrows sharply, falls to 27pc
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Pakistan recorded the largest improvement among surveyed countries in narrowing its mobile ownership gender gap, which fell from 37 percent in 2024 to 27 percent in 2025, according to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026.
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
Fake AI applications become top malware lure, says report
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Kaspersky data revealed that cybercriminals launched over 92,000 malware attacks worldwide between January and May 2026, disguising them as popular artificial intelligence (AI) agents and services.
Hackers target CDA billing system, demand ransom in Bitcoin
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Gulf Today
City managers in Islamabad spent three tense days as unknown hackers reportedly breached the Capital Development Authority (CDA) property and water billing system and demanded ransom in Bitcoin.
Pakistan Post tightens rules on employees’ social media use
Date: June 24, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Pakistan Post (PP) moved to curb employees’ social media activity, declaring that the sharing of unauthorized information and commentary on departmental matters without prior approval amounted to a breach of office discipline.
Government eyes ‘secure comms’ to prevent information leaks
Date: June 26, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The federal government decided to deploy a sovereign, secure and ‘below-internet’ mobile communication network for at least 10,000 government users to address gaps that are causing critical information leakages.
Telecom regulator warns users of SIM blockage
Date: June 29, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) launched a public awareness campaign regarding mobile SIMs registered on invalid, cancelled or expired identity cards and directed users to update their documents in a timely manner.
Cybercrime wave exposes online security gaps
Date: June 29, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
As Pakistan’s digital economy, online banking, and social media usage continue to expand, cybercrime has emerged as a national challenge. In the first five months of 2026, over 77,000 cybercrime complaints were received by the relevant authorities, highlighting the growing scale of the problem.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Reviewing the Virtual Assets Act 2026
Date: June 1, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The Virtual Assets Act 2026 is a carefully designed law that directly addresses core legal issues in virtual asset transactions. Its plain language and focus on fundamental digital market concerns make it accessible. Notably, it is not a verbatim copy of legislation from any other jurisdiction in Pakistan.
Artificial intelligence threatens $3 billion outsourcing pillar
Date: June 1, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Artificial intelligence (AI) breakthroughs threaten Pakistan’s $3 billion outsourcing economy, where call centers and information technology anchor youth employment and export stability. As automation reshapes entry-level white-collar work, this fragile pillar faces direct risk of displacement.
Date: June 1, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Freelancing in Pakistan has become a strategic economic engine, with millions of young professionals earning globally from home. In fiscal year 2024-25, freelancers brought in over $950 million – a 49 percent surge – putting the country on track to cross $1 billion in export earnings.
Mobile ‘tax trap’ stifles digitalization
Date: June 2, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistan’s heavy taxation of mobile services is creating a “tax trap” that is raising connectivity costs, suppressing mobile adoption and slowing the country’s broader digital transformation agenda, according to a new report commission by telecommunication group VEON.
Karachi IT Park project faces scrutiny over lack of progress
Date: June 3, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication expressed concern over the lack of progress on the Karachi IT Park project, observing that nearly five years after its launch, the project has yet to achieve any significant milestone.
‘Go Cashless’ transactions jump sevenfold
Date: June 6, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Digital transactions during Eid-ul-Azha soared over sevenfold from 2025, with 480,000 payments worth Rs34 billion recorded under the State Bank’s Go Cashless campaign in 123 cattle markets, up from 65,000 transactions totaling Rs4.6 billion the previous year.
IT projects likely to get Rs20 billion in budget FY2026-27
Date: June 6, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The federal government proposed Rs20 billion – Rs8.24 billion in local funding and Rs11.76 billion in foreign assistance – for 13 Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication Division development projects in the 2026-27 budget.
IT leads services export surge to $8 billion
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Official data revealed that Pakistan’s services exports rose by 17.68 percent during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, driven primarily by robust growth in the information technology (IT) sector.
Saudi Arabia plans crypto zone for Karachi
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
As Pakistan works to regulate crypto trading, a Saudi delegation is reportedly exploring a crypto and blockchain zone in Karachi, alongside potential mega projects such as a maritime business district and an oil refinery.
Digital transition: Punjab Assembly holds its maiden paperless session
Date: June 9, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Crossing a milestone in Pakistan’s parliamentary history, the Punjab Assembly officially entered the digital age by conducting its first-ever completely paperless session under the new “e-Assembly” system.
82pc Pakistanis use AI for shopping decisions, finds Visa study
Date: June 10, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
Visa’s Stay Secure study showed 82 percent of Pakistani consumers were using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to compare prices, check reviews, and find gift ideas – underscoring AI’s growing influence on shopping decisions.
Digitization planned to curb property fraud
Date: June 10, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) announced that property transactions in housing schemes under its control will move to a fully digital system from July 1 in an effort to curb fraud, stop illegal dealings and end the long-running culture of property file trading.
How Agentic AI could transform the SME sector
Date: June 10, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up nearly 90 percent of Pakistan’s businesses, yet many struggle with weak capacity, fragmented workflows, and limited management. Agentic AI could unlock enterprise-level intelligence once beyond their reach.
Sindh launches e-portal to digitalize public service
Date: June 11, 2026 – Source 1: The Nation, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Sindh government launched its newly developed e-portal, a digital governance initiative aimed at transforming public service delivery through technology, transparency, and citizen-centric solutions.
State Bank launches nationwide survey on digital payment services
Date: June 11, 2026 – Source 1: Pakistan Today, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
With digital payments becoming part of daily life, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched a nationwide survey to capture users’ experiences and expectations, ensuring the ecosystem adapts to evolving digital and economic needs.
Digital economy grows as IT sector posts gain
Date: June 12, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector expanded in fiscal year 2025-26, driven by a $509.6 million 5G auction and broadband growth to 64.2 percent, with the Economic Survey 2025-26 noting major gains in access and connectivity.
Government plans digitalization of CDNS
Date: June 12, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Breaking from its tradition of requiring in-person center visits, the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) is set for digitizing its operations, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26.
Budget 2026-27: Rs5.29 billion set aside for training 120,000 youth in IT, digital skills
Date: June 13, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The federal government allocated Rs5.29 billion to train 120,000 young people in information technology and digital skills under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program – an important initiative given that 67 percent of the nation’s population is under the age of 30.
In a first, 5pc bank-level tax planned on social media earnings in Pakistan
Date: June 13, 2026 – Source: The News
The federal government proposed a new withholding tax on the money earned through social media platforms, requiring banks to automatically deduct five percent from any payment received by content creators and influencers.
FBR proposes bank data integration to detect tax evasion
Date: June 14, 2026 – Source: The News
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) proposed that every Banking Company and Electronic Money Institution (EMI) operating in the country be required to electronically upload information for crossmatching of tax and bank information to detect tax evasion.
Tax disputes: FBR introduces digital solution
Date: June 14, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introduced a digital system to expedite tax dispute resolution and curb prolonged litigation. Under the Finance Bill 2026, the FBR will be empowered to generate settlement offers for registered taxpayers before issuing final assessment orders.
Budget 2026-27: The missing piece in Digital Pakistan
Date: June 15, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Steep tariffs on fiber and network equipment – around 70 percent for key hardware – are undermining the foundations of a digital economy. For Digital Pakistan to move beyond rhetoric, critical infrastructure must be incentivized rather than burdened.
Senate panel backs 5pc tax on earnings from social media
Date: June 16, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
A Senate committee approved a five percent tax on earnings through social media platforms by both local and foreign digital content creators, as lawmakers continued their review of proposals under the Finance Bill 2026.
Alibaba unveils AI support for Pakistan’s SMEs
Date: June 16, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan met with Alibaba representatives to discuss avenues of cooperation aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy, promoting industrial growth and enhancing the export potential of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
A tax breather – not a digital leap
Date: June 17, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
The fiscal budget 2026-27 offers a modest boost for Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exporters, but calling it a “technology budget” would be overstated. Its main value lies in extending existing tax concessions, providing export-oriented firms with certainty rather than launching bold new initiatives.
Can budget FY27 help accelerate Pakistan’s digital growth?
Date: June 17, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
In Budget FY2026-27, Pakistan’s information technology (IT) industry emerges as a clear beneficiary, with lower taxes, extended initiatives, and reduced financing costs underscoring the government’s push to make technology exports a pillar of future growth.
Prime Minister moves to introduce real-time digital oversight across federal ministries
Date: June 18, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced real-time digital oversight to improve service delivery and public perception, as part of the Digital Nation Pakistan Initiative. The monitoring model has been finalized by the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA).
Pakistan’s IT exports hit record at $4.18 billion
Date: June 18, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector crossed a historic milestone, with exports surpassing $4 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year – over $1 billion of which came from services rendered by freelancers.
Supreme Court moves judicial payments online
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Supreme Court (SC) signed a tripartite agreement with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and 1LINK (Guarantee) Limited to bring digital payment solutions into judicial processes, as part of the court’s wider digitization and public facilitation drive.
Telecom Amendment Bill triggers heated debate in Senate committee
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source: The News
A controversy erupted on the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) (Amendment) Bill 2026 when it was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, whereby senators raised concerns over discretionary powers.
Agreements inked to digitize BISP stipend disbursement
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) signed agreements with 1LINK and partner banks to operationalize an interoperable digital wallet payment system, enabling beneficiaries to access their stipends more conveniently across Pakistan.
Parliamentary panel endorses tax proposal on social media earning
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance approved a series of recommendations for the proposed Finance Bill 2026-27, including the imposition of a five percent withholding income tax earned through social media platforms.
Pakistan approves transition to e-passports
Date: June 20, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR), Source 3: Biometric Update
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the government had decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports, saying the move will offer advanced security, global compatibility and a seamless airport experience.
Pakistan must move quickly on crypto to capture economic gains, says minister
Date: June 20, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistan risks missing a major economic opportunity if it fails to move quickly on blockchain technology, digital assets and tokenization, State Minister for Crypto Bilal Bin Saqib said, arguing that the country should prioritize innovation and regulatory clarity over aggressive taxation.
Birth, death registration system goes online in federal capital
Date: June 21, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), in partnership with NADRA, introduced an online birth and death registration service via the PakID application. Residents of Islamabad can now digitally register events, pay fees, and obtain certificates.
Business leaders urge outsourcing FBR to artificial intelligence
Date: June 21, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Speaking at a session organized by the Businessmen Panel in Karachi, two former presidents of commerce chambers called for outsourcing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and shifting the country’s tax system to artificial intelligence.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to digitize P2G payments
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced a province-wide digital governance overhaul, mandating that all person-to-government (P2G) payments shift to digital mode from September 2026. This will make it the country’s only province to fully adopt a cashless system.
SECP approves first digital lending product for women-led MSMEs
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) approved Khudmukhtar Khatoon, the country’s first digital financing product for women-led small businesses. It will offer fully digital asset financing, with loans ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1.5 million based on credit assessment.
The promise of digital payments
Date: June 25, 2026 – Source: Dawn
When grid power failed to reach millions, solar panels enabled off-grid electrification. While policymakers debated, technology advanced. The lesson is clear: the barrier is often not money or intent, but the wrong tool. Digital payments are such a quiet revolution – solving problems that decades of policy could not touch.
Digital channels handle Rs169 trillion payments between January and March
Date: June 26, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Digital payment channels continued to reshape Pakistan’s banking payment system as transactions worth Rs168.8 trillion were conducted through these channels during the third quarter (January-March) of fiscal year 2025-26.
FBR banks on AI-based system to meet Rs15.26 trillion tax goal
Date: June 26, 2026 – Source: The News
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) devised a strategy for achieving an ambitious tax collection target of Rs15,264 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27 through artificial intelligence (AI)-based enforcement and compliance improvements.
Pakistan unveils National Data Governance Policy 2026 to transform digital governance
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication released the draft Data Governance Policy 2026 for public consultation, declaring government data a strategic national asset to be held in trust for the public and governed to ensure sovereignty, public value, citizen empowerment.
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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.
