Digital Pakistan Monitor – May 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. 5 – May 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
PSCA expands free Wi-Fi service to 100 points in Lahore
Date: May 5, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) expanded its free Wi-Fi internet service from 50 to 100 points in Lahore. The service is available for the convenience of citizens in emergency situations.
Reduced competition: CCP concerned over PTCL’s takeover of Telenor
Date: May 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) observed that the takeover of Telenor Pakistan by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) would reduce the industry’s competitive environment.
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
Welcome to the summer of artificial intelligence
Date: May 20, 2024 – Source: The News
By actively working to bridge the digital divide, we can ensure that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the opportunity to benefit from the educational advancements artificial intelligence (AI) offers.
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
Clampdown on non-filers: FBR orders blocking of 0.5 million SIM cards
Date: May 1, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) issued legally-binding instructions to the relevant departments to block mobile phone connections of over half-a-million non-filer citizens, as its campaign to voluntarily register retailers did not yield encouraging results.
Government focusing on new body to combat online misinformation
Date: May 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the government was focusing on forming a separate authority to safeguard the digital rights of citizens and counter propaganda and rumors on social media.
FBR move to block SIM’s of non-filers hits snags amid reluctance of telecommunication firms
Date: May 3, 2024 – Source: The News
The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) has not yet been able to convince the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecommunication operators for blocking mobile connections of over 0.5 million non-filer citizens within the deadline of 15 days.
FBR’s move to block mobile connections placed under scrutiny by PTA
Date: May 3, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said it would review the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s (FBR) order to block cellular phone connections of those who did not file tax returns for the year 2023 before deciding.
Federal Investigation Agency busts online drug racket in Islamabad
Date: May 3, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two suspects after tracing their online operations of the sale and distribution of banned and unregistered drugs in Islamabad. The FIA also identified online pharmacies that were involved in the sale of such unregistered drugs.
PTA seeks review of tax agency directive to block SIMs of non-filers
Date: May 5, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Arab News
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) took exception to a directive by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) seeking to block mobile connections of over 500,000 non-filer citizens, saying the move is counter-productive and can attract litigation.
Islamabad High Court threatens contempt for agency heads in audio leak case
Date: May 5, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Express Tribune
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued preliminary contempt notices to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for seeking recusal of a judge hearing a case related to surveillance of citizens ‘with mala fide intent’.
SIM disabling order falls flat on government’s face
Date: May 5, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The federal government’s legal order to disable mobile connections of over half a million non-filers of the income tax returns fell flat on its face when the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) refused to implement it on the grounds that the order was inconsistent with the legal framework.
Mass SIM blocking ‘not feasible’, warn Pakistan’s telecommunication operators
Date: May 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s telecommunication operators collectively forwarded their concerns to the Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication that the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s (FBR) decision to block SIMs of non-filer citizens was made in undue haste and will adversely impact the industry.
Consensus eludes FBR, telecommunication operators over blocking of SIMs
Date: May 8, 2024 – Source: The News
In their discussions, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and cellular mobile operators (CMOs) failed to break impasse over blocking of 0.5 million mobile connections registered to non-filer citizens.
Four leaked audios mention ‘playing with cipher’, FIA tells Islamabad High Court
Date: May 9, 2024 – Source: The News
The Federal Investigation Authority’s (FIA) special prosecutor told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the cipher case that there were leaked audio clips of four people, including former prime minister Imran Khan, on the internet, in which there was a mention of ‘playing with the cipher’.
Islamabad High Court questions credibility of e-evidence in cipher case
Date: May 9, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised several questions about the authenticity and credibility on the material available on the internet, while hearing appeals of former prime minister and foreign minister Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi against their conviction in the cipher case.
GSMA concerned over SIM blocking in Pakistan
Date: May 10, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
GSMA, the international body representing telecommunication operators, expressed concerns over the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s (FBR) decision to block cellular connections of individuals not appearing on the active taxpayer’s list for 2023.
Cellular operators agree to block SIMs
Date: May 11, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Telecommunication operators agreed to initiate the manual blocking process in small batches of non-filer citizens, ending the week-long standoff over the implementation of the tax machinery drive to broaden the tax base.
FBR shares data of 10,000 non-filers with PTA, telecommunication operators
Date: May 12, 2024 – Source: The News
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) shared two batches of 10,000 non-filer citizens with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cellular mobile operators (CMOs) but the blocking of SIMs could not be kick-started.
Non-filers feel the heat as 3,500 SIMs blocked
Date: May 12, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Telecommunication operators blocked mobile phone SIMs of over 3,500 non-filers of the 5,000 cards they had promised to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) they would in line with its Income Tax General Order (ITGO) – a move aimed at compelling 506,671 individuals to place on record their tax returns.
Islamabad High Court restrains FBR from blocking SIMs of non-filer individuals
Date: May 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a stay order, restraining the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from its move to block cellular connections of individuals absent from the active taxpayers’ list.
Justice Sattar claims he was told by top officials to back off from ‘scrutinizing’ audio leak
Date: May 15, 2024 – Source: The News
Justice Babar Sattar wrote a letter to formally inform the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq about the ‘meddling’ by the security establishment in judicial affairs, claiming he was asked by ‘top officials’ to stop scrutinizing audio leaks.
Audio leaks case: Government pushes back on claims in letter leak
Date: May 15, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The government pushed back against ‘meddling’ claims made by Justice Babar Sattar in his letter addressed to the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Aamer Farooq, forcing Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan to offer explanatory statements.
Joint working group formed to block non-filers’ SIMs
Date: May 18, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) constituted an 18-member joint working group (JWG) with three main telecommunication operators to continue the manual blockage of non-filers, effectively ending the deadlock over implementing the tax machinery’s effort to widen the tax base.
Government decision to block SIMs of non-filer individuals still in effect, clarifies IHC
Date: May 23, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) clarified that the stay order it earlier issued was not on blocking cellular connections of non-filer individuals but solely on acting against the petitioner, private telecommunication operator Zong.
Punjab CM orders making prisons’ cybersecurity foolproof
Date: May 23, 2024 – Source: The News
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting on prison reforms and ordered beefing up cyber security protocols for the province’s prisons.
Telecommunication operators block over 9,000 SIMs on FBR’s orders
Date: May 23, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
A spokesperson of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said over 9,000 cellular connections registered to non-filer individuals had been blocked by telecommunication operators on the board’s orders.
Date: May 26, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The battle of narratives is won in the long run by holding one’s nerve and developing a counter-narrative, which resonates with the popular will. Bringing in draconian curbs is akin to conceding a walkover to the opponent, particularly when there are signs of array in one’s own camp.
Over 7,000 people file tax returns to get cellular connections unblocked
Date: May 30, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) claimed that as many as 7,167 individuals had filed their returns for the tax year 2023 after their mobile SIMs were blocked.
Army vows to quell ‘digital terrorism’
Date: May 31, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR), Source 3: The Print
The military’s top brass noted that planners, perpetrators, and facilitators of the May 9 riots ‘need to be brought to justice for the collective good of the country’ and expressed willingness to act against ‘politically motivated and vested digital terrorism’.
SECTION 4: Digitalization
- Digitalization in governance sectors / e-governance
- Digitalization in social and development sectors
- Digitalization in business and commercial sectors
Google to establish 50 AI-equipped smart schools in Pakistan
Date: May 1, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Arab News
Google announced plans to establish 50 smart schools in Islamabad, equipped with 30,000 Google for Education IDs, including features such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools for enhanced collaboration and productivity.
Ride-hailing application Uber quits Pakistani market
Date: May 1, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: The Financial Express
After nearly eight years of trying its luck in Pakistan, ride-hailing application Uber, quit Pakistan’s online transportation market, creating further market space for its subsidiary Careem.
Tech-based solutions, changes to laws proposed to rein in street crime in Karachi
Date: May 6, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Current and former officials of law enforcement agencies were of the opinion that rising street crime in Karachi could be reduced by using technology, profiling criminals, implementing the safe city project and carrying out amendments to existing laws that often result in grant of bail to repeat offenders.
Government to digitally train 1.8 million Pakistani teachers
Date: May 6, 2024 – Source: The News
The federal government launched a program aimed at digitally training, and certifying 1.8 million teachers, along with millions more who will join the workforce in the next decade.
Punjab CM urges early deals for ‘IT City’ in Lahore
Date: May 8, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered early finalization of deals with Chinese, South Korean and Saudi Arabian companies for the construction of the Information Technology (IT) City in Lahore.
Pakistan’s first moon satellite enters its orbit
Date: May 9, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s inaugural lunar satellite, iCUBE-Q, achieved a significant milestone by successfully entering the moon’s orbit, as confirmed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST).
Digital transformation: Pakistan, World Bank to prepare partnership strategy
Date: May 9, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
Pakistan and the World Bank (WB) agreed to collaborate on a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to carry forward the country’s digital reforms and development agenda.
CDA team meets Punjab IT board chief to discuss land record digitization
Date: May 10, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The management of Capital Development Authority (CDA) held a meeting with Chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and his team to discuss digitalization of CDA and Islamabad Capital Territory’s (ICT) land records.
Pakistan’s satellite sends first images from space
Date: May 11, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan’s maiden lunar satellite iCUBE-Qamar transmitted the first images from orbit after it successfully completing three rounds of the moon.
Digitalization of Pakistan’s tax system discussed
Date: May 11, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) held a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Finance and financial consulting firm Karandaaz to discuss ways to implement steps for digitalization of the tax system.
Date: May 12, 2024 – Source: The News
Pakistan’s first lunar satellite entered the orbit after being launched aboard a Chinese rocket. The iCube-Qamar will likely send images and help Pakistani scientists learn more about moon’s little-explored far side.
Date: May 12, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
Pakistanis tend to lament how the country lags behind when it comes to science and research. And yet, many of us don’t quiet understand the hard work and incremental steps it takes to build capability and expertise domestically.
Prime Minister believes mobile application can ensure transparent wheat purchase
Date: May 14, 2024 – Source 1: Radio Pakistan (RP), Source 2: Express Tribune
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to develop a mobile phone application to ensure transparency in the annual wheat procurement process.
CDA’s move to convert ‘ladies club’ into information technology park gains mileage
Date: May 15, 2024 – Source: Dawn
As it proceeds with the plan to convert a proposed ‘ladies club’ into an information technology (IT) park in Islamabad, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) held an ‘open house’ on the premises to unveil its vision for a dedicated information technology park in the federal capital.
Supreme Court allows former PM to appear in court via video link
Date: May 15, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) granted permission to former prime minister Imran Khan to appear in the court via video link in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments case.
Bank Islami launches priority banking services for digital freelancers, IT exporters
Date: May 16, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Bank Islami (BI) announced the opening of its exclusive Priority Banking Lounge (PBL) for digital freelancers and information technology (IT) exporters as a free work space. The initiative is aimed at providing such individuals with a working environment to collaborate and network.
Pakistan, US agree to boost cooperation in IT, telecommunication sector
Date: May 16, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome expressed the desire to broaden cooperation with Pakistan in the information technology (IT) sector, noting the country’s immense potential for growth in the digital economy.
Punjab CM advances education reforms with major technology initiatives
Date: May 16, 2024 – Source: The News
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sought the monthly schedule of education reforms five-year plan, approving purchase of 32.298 computer tablets for heads of the province’s primary schools.
PTA to impose new fee on local cellphones
Date: May 17, 2024 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) decided to impose a new fee of Rs120 on the manufacturing of each new mobile phone handset in Pakistan.
Pakistan to unveil indigenous biometric solutions in Cape Town
Date: May 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In collaboration with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), a NADRA-owned company is scheduled to unveil two cutting-edge indigenous biometric solutions at a technological conference in South Africa.
Capital police make e-driving licensing system operational
Date: May 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad Capital Police (ICP) said its e-driving licensing system has become fully operational after removal of technical issues. With the help of this e-system, citizens will be able to apply online and easily obtain their licenses.
Punjab CM orders digitization of land records
Date: May 19, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed essential steps to be undertaken for the digitization of all land records in the province.
Date: May 20, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Not too long ago, you would hear boomers blaming everything wrong in society on mobile phones. This was before they signed up on Facebook and started receiving fake news on WhatsApp and become one of the largest demographics for these products.
SUPARCO to launch PAKSAT satellite
Date: May 22, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced the launch of the country’s multi-mission communication satellite PAKSAT MM1 from the XiChang Satellite Launch Center in China.
Prime Minister seeks Chinese expertise to promote IT industry, boost exports
Date: May 25, 2024 – Source: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan wanted to benefit from Chinese experiences to promote its information technology (IT) sector and boost exports.
Telecommunication companies launch call, data packages for Haj pilgrims
Date: May 26, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Despite the availability of pre-activated cellular connections for Haj pilgrims, telecommunication firms in Pakistan launched competitive one-month cellular and data packages that would cost less than options currently offered by Saudi Arabian operators.
ADB expert wants Pakistan to cut its reliance on foreign artificial intelligence solutions
Date: May 26, 2024 – Source: Dawn
In response to an emailed query, Digital Technology Expert at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) ByeongJo Kong expressed concern at Pakistan’s potential over-reliance on foreign artificial intelligence (AI) solutions given the slow pace of developing indigenous ones.
Redefining taxation in the digital age
Date: May 31, 2024 – Source: The News
Taxation on digital payments at merchant locations needs rationalization to promote digital over cash transactions. Reliance on cash fosters tax evasion as well as the informal economy, hindering Pakistan’s digital economy ambitions.
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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.
