Digital Pakistan Monitor, Pakistan
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. 10 – OCTOBER 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
PTA says selective blocking of individual social media content is technically difficult
Date: October 1, 2026 – Source: ProPakistani
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the Islamabad High Court that encryption used by major platforms makes it technically difficult for network operators to identify and block individual posts or videos. The authority said it could approach platforms directly to request removal, while blocking an entire platform could also restrict access to lawful content.
PTA reports 88.20pc blocking rate for social media content
Date: October 7, 2026 – Source: ProPakistani
Figures reported by the PTA showed that it had sent 1,789,022 URLs to social media platforms for action, of which 1,577,936 had been blocked, representing an overall blocking rate of 88.20 per cent. A further 83,740 URLs remained under review and 127,346 requests had been rejected.
SECTION 2: Digital rights advocacy and defence
- Pakistan-based citizens and civil society organizations
- Independent international digital rights organizations
- UN and global multilateral organizations
- Governmental and other sources
New global IFJ report urges stronger regulation of surveillance
Date: October 5, 2026 – Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
The IFJ launched its report, “Hacked Silence: Journalists and Surveillance”, examining legal and regulatory challenges arising from surveillance of journalists. The report warned that interception of communications and access to digital data can compromise confidential sources, journalists’ safety and the public’s right to know.
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
IHC seeks report on action against cybercrime
Date: October 27, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court directed the PTA, PEMRA and NCCIA to submit a comprehensive report on measures taken to combat cybercrime and online harm. The court reviewed platform compliance figures for content-removal requests and asked relevant institutions to coordinate on complaint handling and enforcement under existing laws.
