DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – January 2026
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. 1 – January 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
PTCL to participate in 5G spectrum auction
Date: January 1, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) CEO Hatem Bamatraf announced that the company, including its holdings of Ufone and Telenor, will participate in the 5G spectrum auction.
Government survey: 70pc of all Pakistani households have internet access
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The federal government unveiled Pakistan’s first digital Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), reporting that internet access had expanded to 70 percent of households, with individual usage rising to 57 percent.
District-level internet services: PTA begins issuing Class Licenses
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source 1: Business Recorder (BR), Source 2: Pakistan Today
As part of its efforts to encourage local entrepreneurship and enhance broadband penetration, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) commenced the grant of Class Licenses for the provision of internet services at the district level.
Over five million free SIMs distributed to BISP beneficiaries
Date: January 7, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
According to Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) secretary Amer Ali, over 5.6 million free cellular connections had been distributed to beneficiaries under BISP’s Social Protection Wallets initiative.
Virtual mobile service operators to get permit
Date: January 8, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework, allowing virtual operators to provide nationwide services by leveraging the infrastructure of licensed mobile network operators, without the need to own spectrum.
Spectrum auction: Policy directive issued to PTA
Date: January 8, 2026 – Source 1: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued its spectrum auction policy directive, paving the way for the country’s largest-ever frequency release, with 560 MHz across six bands aimed at easing chronic spectrum shortages.
Government sets dollar rate, terms for spectrum auction
Date: January 9, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in its spectrum auction directive, addressed key industry demands by fixing the dollar rate and aligning interest rates with State Bank benchmarks.
Punjab set to utilize Pakistan’s own satellite for high-speed internet
Date: January 10, 2026 – Source: The News
During a meeting reviewing plans for expanding connectivity, Senator Anusha Rehman announced that Punjab was set to become the first province to access broadband via Pakistan’s own satellite.
Cabinet calls for developing digital infrastructure
Date: January 11, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Members of the federal cabinet suggested that at least half of spectrum auction proceeds should be deposited with the Universal Service Fund (USF) to further the development of digital infrastructure in the country.
Date: January 16, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistan faces a pivotal moment as it moves toward a 5G spectrum auction. Avoiding both haste and inertia, the sustainable path is to treat 5G as essential infrastructure, secure fair returns for telecommunication operators, and expand the market.
Minister explains internet suspensions
Date: January 17, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the Senate that the Universal Service Fund (USF) was extending telecommunication infrastructure to Pakistan’s remote regions, while any internet and mobile service suspensions were enforced exclusively on security grounds.
Next spectrum auction to usher new era of digital transformation, asserts minister
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source: The News
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that the next spectrum auction in Pakistan would ensure a new era of digital transformation in the country.
Government expands telecommunication spectrum to boost internet speed
Date: January 23, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government expanded the soon-to-be-auctioned spectrum from 560 to 600 megahertz, a move expected to increase internet capacity two-folds and improve speed, stability and service continuity.
PTA extends 5G spectrum auction deadline to March 10
Date: January 30, 2026 – Source: The News
Following requests from stakeholders seeking approval from their overseas headquarters, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) extended the deadline for the next spectrum auction and rollout of 5G technology to March 10, 2026.
Chinese satellite firm signs connectivity deal with Paksat
Date: January 31, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Arab News
Chinese commercial space company Geespace signed a cooperation agreement with Pakistan’s satellite communications operator Paksat International to support the rollout of satellite-based connectivity services in Pakistan and neighboring markets.
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
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
PKCERT, Kaspersky agree to strengthen cybersecurity in Pakistan
Date: January 6, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PK-CERT) signed an agreement with global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky to bolster cybersecurity initiatives in Pakistan through collaboration.
PTA blocks 100 million mobile handsets in 2024-25
Date: January 7, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Gulf News
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked nearly 100 million mobile devices during fiscal year 2024-25 to curb illegal use, including 868,000 lost or stolen phones, 72 million counterfeit devices, and 27 million with closed or duplicate IMEI numbers.
Cybercrime watchdog filed 2,200 cases in 2025
Date: January 7, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Daily Times
The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered over 2,200 cases and arrested more than 2,900 suspects in 2025 during nationwide cybercrime operations, submitting 774 challans to courts and recovering Rs461 million in financial fraud cases.
Rising cybercrimes echo in parliament
Date: January 17, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The National Assembly addressed the surge in cybercrime, which continued to impact citizens. Lawmakers drew attention to counterfeit driving challans and fraudulent communications impersonating banks, universities, telecommunication providers, and other institutions.
Illegal content: PTA blocks over a million websites
Date: January 17, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Daily Times, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) apprised the Lahore High Court (LHC) that over 1.4 million web links and URLs were blocked for uploading “unlawful online content”, amid rising concern over coordinated social media platforms targeting state institutions, including the judiciary.
Date: January 18, 2026 – Source: The News
The Punjab government’s plan to equip hospital staff with body-worn cameras is presented as a step toward transparency, but critics content Pakistan’s strained healthcare system needs deeper reform, warning that cameras may divert resources from tackling systemic dysfunction.
Date: January 18, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
As Pakistan works to bridge the digital divide, criminals exploit advanced technology to defraud citizens of billions, with lawmakers in 2025 reporting a record 150,542 cybercrime complaints, most involving financial fraud.
100 websites blocked for extorting money through fake PSCA e-challans
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked over 100 fake and phishing websites for illegally collecting online payments from citizens by using the name and logo of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA).
TikTok removes 28 million videos in Pakistan for guideline violations
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
TikTok removed over 28 million videos in Pakistan between July and September 2025 for violating its community guidelines, according to the platform’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.
State Bank warns of complex cyber threats
Date: January 24, 2026 – Source: Dawn
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad cautioned that the cyber threat landscape had become increasingly complex, driven by highly skilled, well-resourced groups and further complicated by rising geopolitical tensions.
Parliamentary committee seeks institutionalization of PECA law
Date: January 29, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Expressing concern over delayed responses by relevant departments and calling for a stronger institutional response to digital violence against women, the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming stressed the need for the institutionalization of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Rules tweaked to use facial, iris scans as identification biometrics
Date: January 1, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation, Source 3: Gulf News
The federal government amended the National Identity Card Rules, expanding biometrics to include facial and iris scans in addition to fingerprints, enabling contactless verification through fingerprint and facial recognition.
Pakistan’s telecommunications sector surpasses Rs1 trillion revenue mark
Date: January 1, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the country’s telecommunication sector surpassed the Rs1 trillion revenue mark during fiscal year 2024-25, an increase from Rs957 billion recorded during the previous year.
NADRA pilots ID reprints at e-Sahulat franchises
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) launched a pilot project enabling citizens to reprint lost or expired identity cards through selected e-Sahulat franchises, easing access and reducing congestion at central offices.
Faisalabad to have country’s first chip-making unit
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Daily Times, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
Punjab’s Minister for Industries Shafay Hussain announced Pakistan’s maiden computer chip manufacturing facility for Faisalabad, alongside an allocation of 50 acres in the M-3 Industrial Estate for a modern expo center.
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) was urged to follow global modes – licensing first, banking access second, supervision third. Its success hinges on completing these steps effectively, not by the number of cryptocurrency exchanges engaged.
Government proposes 5pc levy on imported phones to fund local manufacturing
Date: January 2, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Under the new Mobile and Electronic Device Manufacturing Policy (MEDMP), the federal government proposed a five percent levy on imported mobile handsets as part of its strategy to promote local manufacturing through fiscal measures.
VEON to invest $20 million in Mobilink’s microfinance bank
Date: January 3, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Arab News
Building on the $15 million it had invested in 2025, the VEON Group announced an additional $20 million in funding for the Mobilink Bank to advance its growth in Pakistan’s digital Islamic banking sector.
Advanced bio-monitoring system deployed in Pakistan’s Himalaya region
Date: January 3, 2026 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Dawn
The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) launched a next-generation bio-monitoring framework in Pakistan’s Karakoram-Himalayan region to address persistent gaps in ecological data across high-mountain ecosystems.
Chip shortages pushes up smartphone prices
Date: January 4, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Insider
The growing use of artificial intelligence and the global “chip war” have driven up smartphone prices, including in Pakistan. Manufacturers Infinix and Techno have already raised rates, while others are reportedly prepared to announce similar price hikes.
Pakistan’s startup funding rises to $37 million in 2025, still below peak
Date: January 4, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistan’s startup sector recorded a modest recovery in 2025, with $36.6 million raised across 10 equity rounds and four undisclosed deals. Funding improved from $22.5 million in 2024 despite fewer transactions, driven mainly by larger ticket sizes rather than broad-based sector activity.
Date: January 4, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistan entered 2026 with mass-adopted digital payments, recording 9.1 billion transactions worth Rs612 trillion. A central bank digital currency pilot, a virtual assets regulator, and tokenization plans marked a shift toward stability and long-term value.
Date: January 5, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The promise of digitization for Pakistan is unmistakable: a path to modernized governance, efficient services, and new economic frontiers. Yet as the country accelerates its digital transformation, 2026 is shaping up to be a decisive year in which policy visions must confront hard operational realities.
Using stablecoins to upgrade remittances
Date: January 5, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s remittances could be converted into dollar stablecoins, bridged into the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) network, exchanged at market rates, and redeemed into rupees via the Raast payment gateway.
Handset makers seek government support for mobile policy
Date: January 6, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Mobile handset manufacturers urged the government to share equal responsibility for the success of the Mobile and Electronics Device Manufacturing Policy 2026-33, committing to locally assembled mobile phone motherboards if the mutually agreed policy is approved.
Mobile manufacturers to face penalties over lack of localization
Date: January 6, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Arab News
The federal government decided to withdraw incentives and impose penalties on mobile and electronics manufacturers for non-compliance with localization targets, reporting requirements, and operational obligations under the proposed Mobile and Electronic Device Manufacturing Policy 2026-33.
Zong, NADRA partner to expand biometric verification
Date: January 7, 2026 – Source: The News
Telecommunication operator Zong signed an agreement with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to support Pakistan’s digital transformation efforts, including the rollout of multi-biometric verification for mobile subscribers.
Emirati DAMAC Group explores crypto, real estate investment opportunities in Pakistan
Date: January 9, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Arab News
Pakistani officials and a delegation from UAE-based DAMAC Group discussed cooperation in the tokenization of real-world assets, blockchain-based platforms, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions, and real estate investment.
Prime Minister backs use of digital wallets for Ramazan package
Date: January 10, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Arab News
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed relevant ministries and officials to distribute Ramazan package subsidies to deserving people through digital wallets, ensuring their dignity is not compromised.
Educating Pakistan in the AI age
Date: January 11, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan finds itself between two starkly different realities – the age of AI and rapid technological progress on one side, and severe resource constraints on the other – while policymakers continue to pursue quick fixes for low learning outcomes among children.
Date: January 11, 2026 – Source: The News
Come 2026, Pakistan is knee-deep in the exhilarating, mildly terrifying process of turning its stablecoin legislation from a shiny legal brochure into an actual functioning system. The Virtual Assets Ordinance was a mic-drop moment, declaring stablecoins as “fiat-referenced” and “asset-referenced” tokens.
Mobile banking accounts cross 120 million in Pakistan
Date: January 11, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data showed that by September 2025, mobile banking users in commercial banks exceeded 25.8 million, branchless banking application users surged to 87.8 million, and fintech customers rose to 6.27 million.
Pakistan explores Trump-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments
Date: January 15, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Reuters, Source 3: FS Tech
Pakistan signed an agreement with a firm connected to World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of United States President Donald Trump’s family, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Information technology – the only bright spot in exports
Date: January 16, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
While overall exports are on a downward trajectory, Pakistan’s information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services sector continues to chart a different course – quietly emerging as the country’s most resilient and scalable source of foreign exchange.
Date: January 18, 2026 – Source: The News
In 2025, digitization became a defining theme in Pakistan, symbolizing efforts to shift economic systems from cash to digital transactions. Both federal and provincial authorities unveiled ambitious plans to advance this transition.
The ups and downs of tokenization
Date: January 19, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Despite their potential to democratize access to markets such as real estate, art, private equity, or bonds, the programmability of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) make them difficult to monitor and mitigate potential risks.
What tokenizing $2 billion of government debt means
Date: January 19, 2026 – Source: The News
Tokenization aims to simplify and accelerate fund-raising, easing government access to international financing. Institutions such as the IMF could be engaged more efficiently through these mechanisms. Ultimately, tokenization offers a faster and broader means for the state to mobilize capital.
Balochistan sets precedent with digital recruitment test in finance department
Date: January 19, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Balochistan government held its first fully digital, paperless recruitment test for 111 sub-accountant posts in the finance department, with successful candidates receiving their appointment notices the same day.
Pakistani student develops world’s largest Urdu AI model
Date: January 19, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Arab News
A Pakistani student in the United States introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) model built exclusively for Urdu. Named Qalb, the project seeks to bridge enduring gaps in access to advanced digital tools for millions of speakers.
How Pakistan’s export revival hinges on digital trade
Date: January 19, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Digital trading performs can transform commerce by cutting costs, reducing delays, and enabling real-time tracking. Pakistan’s export target of $60 billion in four years depends on such innovation. Empowering exporters to fully adopt digitalization is essential to achieving this goal.
Pakistan Railways to digitize network by June
Date: January 20, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR), Source 3: Arab News
The first phase of the Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN), Pakistan’s largest digitization drive, is set to be completed by June end, according to Railway Pakistan’s Directorate of Information Technology.
Minister launches digital application to improve municipal services
Date: January 21, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Local Government Mian Khan Afridi launched a digital complaint redressal application – Mansooba-i-Amal – aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency in municipal service delivery across the province.
Telemedicine system announced for Punjab
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source 1: Radio Pakistan (RP), Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz announced the introduction of a province-wide telemedicine system as part of the government’s efforts to ensure availability of quality healthcare at people’s doorsteps.
Pakistan extends online visa facility to citizens of 192 countries
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)
Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh announced that Pakistan had introduced online visa facilities for 192 countries as part of its efforts to promote tourism and attract foreign investment.
Pakistan mulls space-based monitoring to support port expansion, maritime safety
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Arab News
Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar said Pakistan was considering the use of space-based monitoring systems to support port expansion, maritime safety, and environmental protection.
Date: January 22, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
In Pakistan, crypto is less about trendiness and more about practical needs. Yet despite being a leading adopter, the country’s regulations remain vague and inconsistent. This prolonged hesitation has driven activity underground, exposing users while leaving the state in the dark.
Used handset rates to fall as government revisits valuation
Date: January 23, 2026 – Source: Dawn
As mobile phone prices remain elevated for new buyers due to higher assessed values, the Customs Valuation Department reduced assessment rates for duties and taxes on the commercial import of used mobile phone handsets to ease pressure on consumers in the used smartphone market.
ADB warns Pakistan’s AI reforms outpacing state capacity
Date: January 23, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
The Asian Development Bank (ADP) warned that Pakistan’s AI-driven public service reforms faced major structural hurdles. Fragmented data, low digital literacy, and weak institutional capacity limit access to services and tax systems. As a result, technology risks advancing faster than the state’s ability to implement it effectively.
QR codes made mandatory for retail outlets in Pakistan
Date: January 25, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani announced that the installation of QR codes has been made mandatory for retail outlets in Islamabad and all provinces, aiming to expand access to digital payments gateways.
inDrive revives ‘Super App’ debate in Pakistan
Date: January 25, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistan’s debate over the “Super App” model resurfaced as inDrive decided to expand beyond ride-hailing into groceries, delivery, and other digital services, reigniting questions about whether the country’s market and consumer habits can sustain a single platform for everyday needs.
Islamabad schools, colleges to teach AI from next academic session
Date: January 26, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Starting April, schools and colleges in Islamabad will formally introduce artificial intelligence (AI) in their curriculum. The National Curriculum Council (NCC) announced that students in classes 6-8 may choose between computer science and AI, while those in classes 9-12 can select AI as an elective subject.
Tokens and the future of finance
Date: January 26, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Technology alone cannot ensure inclusion or stability. Without strong governance, tokenization risks fueling volatility, capital flight, and systemic vulnerabilities that regulators may struggle to manage.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka launch digital partnership
Date: January 29, 2026 – Source: Dawn
During the 13th session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Colombo, Pakistan and Sri Lanka established a Joint Working Group on Information Technology and Digital Economy in emerging technologies and digital transformation.
Pakistan, China launch e-mining platform, sign cooperation agreements
Date: January 29, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR), Source 3: Arab News
Amid the global race for critical minerals, Pakistan reaffirmed China’s central role in developing its $8 trillion mineral resources, signing multiple agreements at the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum to move beyond extraction toward sectoral transformation, including the launch of an e-mining platform.
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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.
