DIGITAL PAKISTAN MONITOR – January 2025
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 2025 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
Internet slowdown expected in Pakistan due to cable fault in Middle East
Date: January 3, 2025 – Source: Dawn
A fault in one of the subsea internet cables near Qatar connecting Pakistan slowed down the network speeds in the country, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Slow speeds to persist in Pakistan as work on damaged internet cable delayed
Date: January 4, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Internet services in Pakistan will remain slow, as work to move traffic from a damaged submarine cable faced delays, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Pakistan tops world in economic losses due to internet shutdowns
Date: January 4, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Arab News
According to a report released by Top10VPN, Pakistan lead the world in terms of financial losses suffered as a result of outages and shutdowns of the internet and social media platforms. In 2024, the country suffered a reported loss of Rs1.6 billion.
Traffic from faulty internet cable moved to other lines, claims government
Date: January 5, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima said that internet disruption caused by a fault in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) undersea cable had “largely” been restored, with over 80 per cent of the traffic moved to other available connectivity lines.
Government claim: Internet users in Pakistan grew in 2024
Date: January 7, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima dispelled the recurrence of internet connectivity disruptions in Pakistan, claiming that the number of internet users across the country “increased” in 2024.
Starlink registers with Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission
Date: January 7, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Starlink, a global satellite internet service provider, completed formalities related to its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), according to a confirmation provided by the State Minister for Information Technology.
Cellular, internet services restored in Quetta following suspension
Date: January 7, 2025 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Cellular and internet services in Quetta were restored following a 20-hour suspension “to maintain law and order” during a shutter-down strike observed by workers of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
No timeframe for resolution of internet problems, says PTCL
Date: January 10, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Telecommunications Limited (PTCL) informed media outlets that there was “no exact timeframe” for the resolution of slow internet connectivity or the repair of the faulty undersea internet cable.
Three global satellite internet operators seek entry into Pakistan
Date: January 11, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Three global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operators, including Starlink, OneWeb and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, were reported to be awaiting government approval in Pakistan to kick-start their connectivity operations.
Little 5G fanfare as industry, users await next-generation network
Date: January 15, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Given the multiple challenges that affected the internet landscape in 2025, the government will need to cross many hurdles to make good on its commitment to rollout 5G services in Pakistan in 2025.
Free Wi-Fi internet service provided at over 200 locations in Punjab
Date: January 16, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) rolled out free Wi-Fi connectivity services at over 270 hotspot locations in Lahore and 11 districts of Punjab, including cities such as Kasur, Sialkot, and Jhelum.
Parliamentary panel greenlights Digital Nation bill
Date: January 23, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, amidst concerns raised by the state minister for IT and telecommunication regarding bureaucracy’s resistance to digitization.
Starlink license to be considered if owner apologizes, IT parliamentary panel
Date: January 23, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication called for an apology from the company’s owner, Elon Musk, before considering a license for Starlink, citing his controversial statements allegedly targeting Pakistan on social media.
PTA flags poor connectivity in mobile network services
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Following an independent survey, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) highlighted the poor performance of cellular mobile operators (CMOs) in areas of network coverage, broadband, voice, and SMS services.
PECA law overhaul gets presidential nod amid growing controversy
Date: January 30, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: The Nation
President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, despite widespread backlash from political parties, journalist bodies and human rights organizations.
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
Parliamentary panel to discuss internet issues
Date: January 1, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications was scheduled for an “in-depth” discussion on the Digital Pakistan Bill and the issue of the registration of virtual private networks (VPNs).
Internet blocking is ‘legal grey area’, Senate body told
Date: January 2, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) admitted before a parliamentary panel that blocking access to the internet was a ‘legal grey area’ and called for federal ministries of law and interior to justify the legality.
IT Minister claims ‘no issue’ with internet connectivity, draws parliamentarians ire
Date: January 3, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Government officials faced intense grilling by parliamentarians over slow internet speeds and frequent outages, following a claim of uninterrupted access made by the State Minister for Information Technology.
Time to tackle digital terrorism, asserts Prime Minister
Date: January 4, 2025 – Source: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for countering digital terrorism, as “agents sitting abroad were spitting venom against Pakistan” on digital and social media platforms.
PTI asks government to rethink its policy of internet ‘throttling’
Date: January 5, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) condemned the government for allegedly throttling the internet under the pretext of security concerns, despite significant economic implications.
Date: January 6, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan has long grappled with adversarial relationships – both within borders and with its immediate neighbors. Now, it seems even the deep sea conspires against the country, as submarine cables repeatedly fall victim to disruptions, affecting millions of users nationwide.
Government claims internet in Pakistan ‘better, cheaper’ than many other states
Date: January 8, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Daily Times
While dismissing reports that internet outages had caused massive financial losses in 2024, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar claimed the internet in Pakistan was “much better and cheaper” as compared to several other countries.
Internet showdowns, financial losses linked to excessive VPN usage
Date: January 9, 2025 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The surge in virtual private networks (VPNs) usage during internet disruptions was identified as a major contributing factor to slow internet speeds and financial losses, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Police seek FIA’s help to recover ransom paid by crypto trader
Date: January 9, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
Police in Karachi sought technical assistance from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for the recovery of a ransom amount – around $340,000 worth of digital coins – a cryptocurrency trader paid for his release from captivity after being kidnapped by unidentified individuals.
Pakistani businesses cite data protection as key concern
Date: January 11, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
According to a Kaspersky IT Security Economic Report, businesses in Pakistan viewed securing complex technological environments and ensuring data connectivity as key concerns hindering their corporate potential.
Government issues advisory about Wi-Fi use
Date: January 12, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government declared Wi-Fi routers to be insecure, with the National Information Technology Board (NITB) issuing an advisory to all organizations regarding security threats associated with wireless networks.
Speed bumps on the information superhighway
Date: January 15, 2025 – Source: Dawn
With several legal and technical measures in the pipeline, this year may see Pakistani cyberspace being shaped in a way that conforms to the state’s idea of equilibrium; one where dissent and development are sacrificed at the altar of national security.
Cybercrime conversion rate in Pakistan ‘very low’
Date: January 15, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Since 2020, 7,020 individuals have been accused and arrested for cybercrimes in Pakistan, with only 222 being convicted – a conviction rate of only 3.16 per cent. Officials have cited legal changes and capacity issues for fewer complaints and punishments.
Crypto traders exposed to FIA scrutiny amid regulatory vacuum
Date: January 16, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan currently lacks a legal framework to regulate crypto mining and trading. This absence of regulation means these activities are neither explicitly legal nor illegal. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in 2019, clarified that it had not declared crypto illegal but cautioned against its volatility.
Date: January 19, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s thriving gig economy is facing contraction, as freelancers feel the impact of internet shutdowns and slowdowns. However, the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) appear more interested in managing dissent and passing the buck than dealing with this disruption.
Changes to PECA law unveiled amid protest
Date: January 23, 2025 – Source: Dawn
A bill seeking amendments to the Pakistan’s cybercrime laws was introduced in the National Assembly, proposing three-year prison terms for spreading disinformation, dissolving the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing, and setting up of a new investigation agency.
PECA amendments make bad law worse, say digital rights activists
Date: January 23, 2025 – Source: The News
The proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 have drawn criticism from legal and digital rights experts, who warn that they could curtail free speech, empower state agencies to stifle dissent, and erode judicial oversight.
Controversial PECA changes rushed through National Assembly
Date: January 24, 2025 – Source: Dawn
In a display of unusual urgency, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), introduced as a supplementary agenda item.
Indian-made devices flagged as major cybersecurity threat in Pakistan
Date: January 24, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
Indian-made mobile phones, including iPhones, were identified as a cybersecurity threat to Pakistan’s cybersecurity ecosystem, with Cabinet Division officials highlighting the risk of data breaches and malware infections.
Changes to cybercrime law land in Senate amid outcry
Date: January 25, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Amid a walkout by journalists from the press gallery, the controversial bill seeking to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was presented in the Senate for discussion in standing committees.
Date: January 25, 2025 – Source: Dawn
At a time when there should be an introspective stocktaking of the internet governance regime in Pakistan, the government has instead recommended drastic changes to the cybercrime law by proposing four new bodies as well as adding vague and broad definitions of online harm.
Citizen arrested under PECA law for insulting Punjab CM on social media
Date: January 25, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Express Tribune
A WhatsApp group administrator in Pakpattan was arrested for allegedly allowing a derogatory post targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to circulate in the group under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
PECA Act tweaks termed anti-free speech
Date: January 25, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
Media watchdog Freedom Network (FN) termed the latest amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) “disproportionate, non-transparent and anti-free speech” and warned that they would lead to a serious risk of silencing dissenting voices and suppressing critical journalism.
Four convicted for online blasphemy in Punjab
Date: January 25, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
A trial court in Rawalpindi convicted four people for committing blasphemy and sentenced them to death while also imposing on them prison terms and fines in a case filed by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing (CCW).
Whistleblowers claim retaliation for ‘exposing corruption’
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Pak-Datacom, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, terminated senior employees who raised concerns about alleged irregularities and financial embezzlement within the state-owned entity.
Amnesty International, HRCP assail changes to PECA law
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Amnesty International
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Amnesty International and other human rights organizations continued to express concerns over the proposed changes to Pakistan’s cybercrime laws, calling the provisions “vague and ambitious”, which would further stifle the freedom of speech.
Cyberstorm brewing: Fresh wave of attacks threaten Pakistani internet users
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Express Tribune
The National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) issued a cybersecurity advisory warning Pakistani users about the risks of using certain browser extensions that could compromise their personal data.
Bilawal Bhutto urges joint action on digital rights and social inequality
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted digital rights, social inequality, and climate change as the most pressing challenges facing Pakistan today and stressed the need for guiding principles to be set for the digital age.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Government reveals five-year plan to digitalize economy
Date: January 1, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a five-year ‘transformation plan”, titled Uraan Pakistan, to address economic issues by focusing on exports, digital initiatives, environment, and energy for development.
University launches mobile application to facilitate students
Date: January 1, 2025 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Dawn
The National Skills University (NSU) launched the ‘MYNSU’ application, which provides students with information related to the university’s timetables, GPA calculator, Chabot support, and an online fee payment process.
ECP opposes giving e-voting rights to expatriates
Date: January 1, 2025 – Source: The News
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) opposed giving e-voting rights to expatriates, as it could involve the risk of electoral hacking.
Government launches operations for 7th digital agricultural census
Date: January 2, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) initiated field operations in Punjab for the country’s 7th Agricultural Census, employing digital tools to collect data for evidence-based policies aimed at sustainable farming and food security.
Digitalized identification: Children above 10 to require ‘biometric’ Form B
Date: January 2, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Form B – the identity document issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for children – will now have special biometric security features, according to a notification issued by the Ministry to Interior.
Punjab introduces automation in development projects
Date: January 3, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Punjab became the country’s first province to automate its development system, taking a step towards modernizing governance. In a parallel development, the provincial administration launched a program to transition agricultural tube wells to solar energy.
Three telecommunication firms earn Rs2.5 trillion in ten years
Date: January 3, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Three telecommunication companies operating in Pakistan disclosed a total income of Rs2.52 trillion in the last ten years, while they paid Rs763 billion tax. Between 2013 and 2023, telecom operator Jazz earned Rs1.6 trillion, Zong generated Rs821 billion, while Nayatel earned an income of Rs37.6 billion.
Bhutan excels in crypto-mining while Pakistan’s ambitions remain unrealized
Date: January 7, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
Despite starting their cryptocurrency ventures around the same time, while Bhutan now ranks as the fifth-largest Bitcoin holder globally constituting 35 per cent of its GDP, Pakistan’s crypto-mining agenda remains unrealized due to bureaucratic and political hurdles.
Bar association seeks live stream of Supreme Court proceedings
Date: January 9, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) filed an application with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking a live stream of proceedings related to the challenges filed against the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.
Pakistan moves to regulate cryptocurrencies
Date: January 9, 2025 – Source: The News
Parliamentarian Dr Afnan Ullah Khan introduced in the Senate a private member’s bill, the Virtual Assets Bill 2025, aimed establishing a regulatory framework for the rapidly growing digital asset market including cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies in Pakistan.
FBR to bring FMCG sector into digital invoicing system
Date: January 10, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) sought to expand its tax oversight by integrating Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors into its Digital Invoicing System (DIS), aiming to strengthen sales tax monitoring and address revenue leakages.
Date: January 12, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan has often been accused of being slow to adopt new technologies. This reluctance has repeatedly cost the nation opportunities to tap into lucrative markets, and nowhere is this more evident than in the case of cryptocurrency. Unofficial estimates suggest that Pakistanis hold at least 20 million registered accounts on various digital exchanges.
Date: January 14, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Artificial intelligence’s (AI) appetite for power is matched by its thirst for water. To cool the heat generated by energy-intensive servers, large quantities of water are needed. Global demand for water for AI is estimated to reach four to six billion cubic meters by 2027.
Can government tackle cryptocurrencies?
Date: January 14, 2025 – Source: The News
Crypto traders in Pakistan termed cryptocurrencies a “grey area”. Inroads made by Binance, a global digital exchange, in Pakistan itself can be considered a declaration that the trade of digital assets was not outright illegal.
SUPARCO to launch the EO-1 satellite from Chinese launch pad
Date: January 14, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced the launch of the country’s indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) Satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in China.
SME authority plans to further develop digital portal
Date: January 14, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) entered into an agreement with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to enhance the efficacy of its SME registration portal.
Startup funding in Pakistan – tough, but not terrible
Date: January 13, 2025 – Source: Dawn
In 2024, the average deal size in Pakistan clocked in at $3.75 million, 68 per cent higher than the previous year, again because only six companies announced the round amounts. Sector-wise, e-commerce led in volumes with five deals worth a disclosed $8.5 million.
Pakistan’s first freelancing hub set up for differently-abled persons
Date: January 15, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Special Communications Organization (SCO) launched the first freelancing hub for persons with disabilities in Muzaffarabad. Designed to train and nurture the skills of disabled youth, the hub is equipped with advanced computers, high-speed internet, and a power backup system.
Telecommunication operators resent 300pc hike in router prices
Date: January 17, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Telecom Operators Association (TOA) raised concerns over a 300 per cent increase in the price of fiber broadband routers in Pakistan, warning that the hike contradicts the government’s Digital Pakistan Vision (DPV) and could jeopardize broadband expansion in the country.
NADRA to shutdown website, launch mobile application for services
Date: January 17, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi announced an overhaul of the services of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), including the launch of a new mobile application and the discontinuation of its Pak-ID website.
Pakistan’s first indigenous observation satellite launched
Date: January 18, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Reuters
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) launched the country’s first indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite (EO-1) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China.
No investment in Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure over three years, admits IT minister
Date: January 18, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima acknowledged before the National Assembly (NA) that while most telecommunication infrastructure in Pakistan was import-based, there has been no foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector in over three years.
Prime Minister hails Digital FDI achievement
Date: January 19, 2025 – Source: Dawn
While welcoming Pakistan’s inclusion in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Digital Foreign Direct Investment Initiative (DFDII), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that embracing digitization can create a framework to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
‘Safe tourism’ application introduced for Neelum valley
Date: January 24, 2025 – Source: Dawn
In a bid to promote safe tourism and ensure the safety of visitors, the administration in the Neelum valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir launched a digital application alongside policy guidelines for its local tourism sector.
Date: January 26, 2025 – Source: The News
A holistic adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in taxation demands significant investment in digital infrastructure, workforce training, and robust data privacy laws to build trust among taxpayers and ensure long-term effectiveness.
Punjab digitizes land records system under the Pulse project
Date: January 28, 2025 – Source: Dawn
On the directives of Punjab government, the Punjab Urban Land System Enhancement (PULSE) program, funded by the World Bank (WB), initiated the digitalization of land records in Rawalpindi division and in the first phase, it started work to digitalize mass ownership cases.
‘Islamabad App’ launched to verify arms licenses
Date: January 28, 2025 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation
In a move to enhance transparency and convenience, the Islamabad district administration introduced a mobile application, ‘City Islamabad’, allowing citizens to verify their arms licenses online.
Date: January 30, 2025 – Source: The News
To prevent the reckless use of disruptive technologies, Pakistan and India must engage in regulatory frameworks and confidence-building measures (CBMs). These should include robust communication channels, bilateral discussions and agreements on responsible artificial intelligence use in military operations.
Excessive reserve prices: Unsold spectrum to inflict $1.8 billion loss to Pakistan’s GDP
Date: January 30, 2025 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The impact of unsold spectrum because of excessive reserve prices in auctions will be substantial with a two year delay to the availability of new spectrum is projected to result in a loss of Rs1.8 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) over the 2025-2032 period.
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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.
