DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – December 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. 12 – December 2024 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
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government’s lofty plans for the 5G spectrum auction are an insult to the collective intelligence of the people. The government speaks of boosting the country’s ‘digital economy’ while simultaneously deploying its web management system (WMS) and demanding the registration of all virtual private networks (VPNs).
Pakistan ranked among slowest globally for internet speeds
Date: December 10, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Pakistan was ranked among the bottom 12 per cent globally for mobile and broadband internet speeds, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for October 2024. The index placed the country 100th out of 111 countries for mobile speeds and 141st out of 158 for broadband speeds.
Government admits internet connectivity issues due to security concerns
Date: December 17, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government tacitly acknowledged on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) that it was behind ongoing internet disruptions and monitoring of social media platforms, citing national security concerns.
Government moves bill in National Assembly to ‘digitize nation’
Date: December 17, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Arab News
The federal government introduced in the lower house the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024, seeking the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation with a ‘digital society, digital economy, and digital governance’.
Government claims improvement in internet speed across Pakistan
Date: December 19, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima acknowledged the challenges vis-à-vis internet speeds, but stressed that the federal government was trying its best to ‘minimize’ any inconvenience to the users.
Preparations begin for linking Pakistan to new undersea internet cable system
Date: December 25, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While Pakistan technically disconnected connections to the SMW-3 undersea cable, the oldest submarine internet network, at the same time it linked its nodes with the landing station of the new Africa-2 cable network. The new system is marked for full service in 2025.
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
Industry stakeholders demand consultation for internet governance
Date: December 6, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Industry stakeholders at a multi-stakeholder national consultation meeting in Islamabad stressed the need for digital and information literacy and collective actions for realization of digital rights in Pakistan.
Fight disinformation, not free speech online: UNESCO
Date: December 8, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) representative in Pakistan stressed the need to tackle disinformation and harmful content online while safeguarding the right to free speech and access to information.
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
PTA decides not to ban VPNs over ‘lack of legal grounds’
Date: December 1, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
All virtual private networks (VPNs) would continue functioning in the country after the November 30 deadline as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) decided not to ban them over lack of legal grounds.
Date: December 1, 2024 – Source: The News
Banning online tools like virtual private networks (VPNs), rather than addressing structural issues, seems shortsighted. The state’s role should be to empower citizens, not restrict their privacy and access to information unnecessarily.
Government unmoved as slow internet, social media restrictions frustrates all
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Internet users across Pakistan faced a dip in internet speed and difficulties accessing social media platforms despite a claim by the Information Technology Minister that these services were ‘100 per cent’ operational.
Online monitoring tools negate government’s claims of ‘uninterrupted internet’
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
At least two online access monitoring tools negated the federal government’s claims of uninterrupted internet services and reported widespread issues faced by users while accessing social and digital media services across Pakistan.
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Typically, virtual private networks (VPNs) are used as an online privacy measure. But in Pakistan, they are used to circumvent arbitrary government bans such as the one on X (formerly Twitter) and restrictive WhatsApp use.
WhatsApp accounts of several schools, colleges compromised
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source: Dawn
WhatsApp accounts of several school and college principals in Islamabad were hacked by online scammers who reportedly used these accounts to solicit money from students and their parents.
Prime Minister forms panel to crack down on ‘anti-state’ propaganda
Date: December 2, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
The federal government, after approval by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, formed a 10-member joint task force to identify those involved in spreading malicious propaganda against the state of Pakistan on social media.
Changes to cybercrime law to tighten noose on social media
Date: December 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government plans to bring ‘wholesale’ changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, which would see the formation of a new authority, with powers to block online content and access to social media, as well as prosecuting those propagating ‘fake news’.
PTI leadership becomes hostage to its social media
Date: December 3, 2024 – Source: The News
Top leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has allegedly become hostage to the party’ social media team and select groups of its supporters among the diaspora, who the leadership agrees were aggravating problems for the party and its jailed founder chairman but were “unstoppable”.
Constitutional bench defers audio leaks case as government seeks more time
Date: December 3, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) allowed the Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman additional time to seek government directives regarding the audio leaks case.
Government moves to curb social media use by terror outfits
Date: December 4, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The National Action Plan (NAP) coordination committee decided to take comprehensive measures to prevent and block the activities of banned terrorist organizations on social media platforms.
Pakistan’s IT industry loses ‘$1 million’ due to one hour of internet outage, P@SHA claims
Date: December 4, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) chairman Sajjad Mustafa claimed that one hour of internet outage or disruption results in a loss of more than $1 million for the country’s information technology (IT) sector.
No end to internet outages, issues with communication applications
Date: December 4, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistani authorities keep hobbling the internet. Its latest stunt of monitoring social media platform was proving to be damaging for millions of people who are now reliant on digital services and information technology-based communication tools.
Senator claims PTI founder’s X handle being misused to disseminate propaganda
Date: December 4, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
Senator Faisal Vawda claimed that certain individuals were manipulating Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, and using his X handle for the “dissemination of organized propaganda” against state institutions.
Security concerns: PTI asks members to install ‘secret’ CCTV cameras at homes
Date: December 5, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In wake of alleged ‘abductions’ of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members, the party’s Punjab chapter president Hammad Azhar directed party leaders and members to install secret close circuit television (CCTV) systems not just in their home premises but also on their streets for security purposes.
PTA chief denies policy to slow down internet connectivity
Date: December 6, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Hafeezur Rehman denied the existence of any policy causing slow internet speeds in the country, stating that if such a policy exists, it should be clarified by the federal government.
Slow internet speed draws Senate panel’s ire
Date: December 6, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology criticized officials related to the information technology (IT) sector over the slowdown of internet speed after it was informed that internet outages cost the industry Rs1.3 billion each day.
Date: December 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan needs a proactive and thoughtful approach to addressing the underlying causes of unrest, not the suppression of economic activity through digital censorship. The country’s future is closely tied to its ability to fully embrace the digital age.
PTA introduces VPN registration via mobile numbers for freelancers
Date: December 8, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
To facilitate the gradual banning of virtual private networks (VPNs), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) enabled freelancers in the information technology (IT) sector to register their VPNs using mobile numbers.
FIA empowered to take action against social media crime
Date: December 11, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued a notification to restore the powers of the Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate and prosecute crimes in the digital sphere.
Pakistan’s information technology industry living under constant fear of slowdowns
Date: December 12, 2024 – Source: Dawn
As people, especially those related to the information technology (IT) industry, were living under a constant fear of ‘internet slowdowns or shutdowns’ because of the incumbent government’s ‘political compulsions’, the authorities concerned have yet to come up with a plan to ‘allay their fears’.
Date: December 12, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In the current context, where virtual private networks (VPNs) are blocked without legal cover and where essential applications are slow or non-functional, the need of the hour is legislation that protects access to quality internet without ‘Big Brother’ snooping on every click by citizens.
Supreme Court asserts phone tapping illegal without prior court approval
Date: December 12, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: The Nation
The Supreme Court’s (SC) constitutional bench remarked the law did not permit anyone to tap phones of a private citizen without the court’s permission, before adjourning a hearing on the legality of phone tapping.
Date: December 12, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistani authorities have announced that they intend to establish a new state agency, the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), to tighten government control over online content. The new body, if approved by the Parliament, will be authorized to prosecute people for sharing or accessing prohibited content, and take action against social media platforms that host such content.
Government looks to set up cybercrime forensics agency
Date: December 13, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government proposed a ‘National Forensics and Cybercrime Agency (NFCA)’ to tackle cyber and digital crimes and investigations related to them amid ongoing efforts to change the country’s digital laws.
Federal police issues notices to suspects under PECA law
Date: December 13, 2024 – Source: The News
The Islamabad inspector general of police (IGP) initiated decisive action against individuals allegedly involved in a malicious social media campaign aimed at spreading fake news and inciting public unrest in the country.
Senate approves bill to set up agency with unusual sway to fight digital crime
Date: December 14, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Senate unanimously passed a bill to establish a forensic agency with unusual sway to effectively combat digital crimes. The bill, titled National Forensic Agency Bill, 2024, was piloted by the federal government.
Government mulls yet another approach to curb cybercrime
Date: December 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The federal government aimed to boost its cybercrime laws to regulate social media content through an amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 which would allow it to address lacunae, especially in instances where state institutions are defamed online.
Government’s rush on digital bill upsets parliamentary panel
Date: December 18, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government’s attempt to rush the Digital Nations Pakistan Bill, 2024 through a parliamentary panel irked its members who complained of not being given adequate time to review the ambitious piece of legislation that seeks to ‘digitize society, economy, and governance’.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocks scam numbers, IMEIs
Date: December 18, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked thousands of mobile numbers involved in fraudulent activities. In 2024, 5,294 mobile numbers, 4,507 IMEI numbers, and 113 computerized national identity cards (CNICs) linked to online financial frauds were blocked.
PPP MPs take government to task on slow internet speeds
Date: December 19, 2024 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislators in the National Assembly (NA) came hard on the federal government over the slow speed of internet and also the nationwide closure of social media platform X.
People urged to ‘conserve internet’ amid slowdown
Date: December 23, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A parliamentary official suggested that users should “use the internet less” and only for “important matters”, as Pakistan grapples with frequent cyber-showdowns.
PTA unveils new regime to ‘localize’ VPN services
Date: December 24, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF)
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) devised a new strategy to ‘register’ virtual private networks (VPNs) after its previous efforts to ensure compliance failed to yield desired results. The regulator decided to introduce a new licensing permit category for this purpose.
Bilawal Bhutto advocates ‘bill of rights’ for digital age
Date: December 24, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari distanced himself from the government’s policies on internet governance and floated the idea of a ‘bill of rights’ for the digital age.
Date: December 25, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The state’s attempts to pry into citizens’ internet activities continue apace. The latest in this regard is a strategy to have VPN service providers register themselves in the country and agree to the state monitoring their subscribers’ activities in exchange for permission to continue operating without hindrance.
Disconnected: How internet outages held back Pakistan in 2024
Date: December 27, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan’s internet troubles in 2024 served as a wake-up call for the nation. The disruptions that plagued the entire year highlighted systematic weaknesses that, if left unaddressed, could hinder the country’s progress in an increasingly digital world.
IHC orders cellular firm to refund over Rs2 billion to customers
Date: December 29, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed cellular services provider Zong to return more than Rs2 billion collected incorrectly from its customers and abide by the decision of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in this regard.
Companies shy from submitting VPN registrations requests
Date: December 31, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Despite the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) offering companies the opportunity to register their VPNs, no company has yet submitted a registration request. The PTA initiated the VPN registration process on December 19.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Local YouTubers growing their audience outside Pakistan
Date: December 5, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The number of Pakistan-based content creators on YouTube earning over Rs10 million annually saw a 25 per cent increase, while over 65 per cent of the watch time on Pakistani content came from viewers outside the country.
Pakistan’s IT-driven service exports increase by 14pc
Date: December 5, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) services exports grew 14 per cent to $689 million in October, up from $607 million last year. Growth for the sector has been steady since February, except for a 6.5 per cent decline in August.
Digital parking system comes into effect in Islamabad’s Jinnah Super Market
Date: December 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) launched a digital parking system at Jinnah Super Market after introducing the facility in two other commercial centers in the federal capital.
IT ministry, its organs spend less than 5pc of allocated funds in five months
Date: December 7, 2024 – Source: The News
While a total of Rs23,929 million was allocated in the current fiscal year for 21 projects of the Information Technology and Telecommunication Ministry, only Rs1,138 million could be spent by its organs during the first five months.
Punjab CM announces establishment of Pakistan’s first Tier-IV data center
Date: December 8, 2024 – Source 1: Radio Pakistan (RP), Source 2: The News
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz gave in-principle approval to the establishment of Pakistan’s first Tier-Four data center at the Nawaz Sharif Information Technology City in Lahore.
FBR proposes ‘one phone per person’ limit for international travelers
Date: December 10, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced new regulatory proposals under the baggage scheme, restricting travelers from bringing commercial quantities of goods into Pakistan. The proposed changes include restricting travelers from bringing more than one custom-free mobile handsets into the country.
The climate paradox: how AI can save and sabotage the planet
Date: December 10, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In a world racing to combat climate change, the newest weapon in our arsenal comes with an ironic twist. Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed quite a thirst of its own. In what could be a scene from a science fiction story, AI machines are guzzling water and energy at rates that have scientists concerned.
Pakistanis stayed glued to Google in 2024
Date: December 11, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Google’s Year in Search 2024 released a captivating narrative of Pakistan’s digital landscape, one where sports, entertainment, food and technology kept the users hooked to Google, showcasing the nation’s content preferences.
EmpowerHER Digital Tech Summit to support Pakistani women in technology
Date: December 12, 2024 – Source: The News
Strong calls for action to bridge the digital divide, interactive discussions, and the Digital Career Fair (DCF) featured at the EmpowerHER Digital Tech Summit organized by UN Women Pakistan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Islamabad.
Chinese firm to fund Pakistani startups
Date: December 14, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Gobi Partners, a leading pan-Asian venture capital firm, officially announced the $50 million Techxila Fund II alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Punjab (BoP).
Sindh CM asks Board of Revenue to digitally ‘rewrite’ record of property rights
Date: December 14, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Radio Pakistan (RP)
To protect rightful owners from bureaucratic hurdles and eliminate manipulation in the entries, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the Board of Revenue (BoR) to rewrite the Record of Rights digitally and clear all suspicious entries of the properties’ by following a transparent process.
Foreign direct investment in Pakistan’s telecommunication sector drops 21pc in FY24
Date: December 17, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Telecommunication industry’s foreign direct investment (FDI) contribution to the national exchequer declined by 21 per cent during fiscal year 2023-24, which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) linked with the overall economic situation in the country.
Pakistan’s information technology exports surge to $324 million
Date: December 18, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Despite internet crisis and firewall issues, Pakistan recorded monthly information technology (IT) exports of $324 million, up by 25 per cent year-on-year while down by 2 per cent month-on-month in November.
Date: December 18, 2024 – Source: The News
Dubai’s rise as a technology hub offers a blueprint for Pakistan. Pakistan could replicate Dubai’s model by developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) focused on technology. These zones could offer tax incentives, simplified regulations, and access to venture capital, creating an environment where startups can thrive.
NADRA to launch facial recognition system for senior citizens
Date: December 20, 2024 – Source: The News
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) announced the launch of a facial recognition system designed to assist elderly citizens, particularly pensioners, who face difficulties due to faded fingerprints.
Unpacking information technology challenges
Date: December 23, 2024 – Source: The News
The growth of Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector is hindered by slow-speed internet, negatively impacting IT services and IT-enabled services exports. Affordable and reliable high-speed internet, modern data centers, and uninterrupted power supply are critical to the sector’s promotion.
Pakistan’s domestic handset production falls 8pc in November
Date: December 24, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Locally manufactured and assembled mobile phones in Pakistan fell by 8 per cent year-on-year and 35 per cent month-on-month in November, with 2.31 million handsets produced, according to data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
FBR’s faceless assessment system clears 4,000 consignments
Date: December 24, 2024 – Source: Pakistan Today
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced that its Faceless Customs Assessment System (FCAM) had cleared 4,000 consignments since its launch in the same month, improving customs operations at Karachi’s South Asia Pakistan Terminal.
AI-powered tool launched to enhance student learning, support teachers
Date: December 27, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Khanmigo, an AI-powered tool developed by Khan Academy Pakistan (KAP) was launched in Karachi to enhance student learning and support teachers.
Digital platform planned to alert hearing-impaired about disasters
Date: December 28, 2024 – Source: Dawn
ConnectHear — a Pakistani startup — is developing a disaster response system for hearing-impaired people that will function as a mobile application. The service aims to ensure that these individuals have access to life-saving information during floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
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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.