Pakistan

Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 establishing the Digital Authority

On 29 January 2025, the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, which establishes the Pakistan Digital Authority enters into force. The Act aims to facilitate the digital transformation of the economy, governance, and society by creating a comprehensive framework for digital governance. The Authority is responsible for implementing the National Digital Masterplan, overseeing digital transformation, and ensuring alignment with national goals across sectors. It will issue regulations, facilitates coo...

Data localisation requirement in Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021

On 13 October 2021, the "Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021", prescribed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, were published in the official gazette of Pakistan, updating the 2021 version of the Rules. The rules contain a data localisation requirement for social media providers.

Third blocking of TikTok

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has decided not to implement a full block of TikTok in the country on 5 July 2021, citing the company's actions in blocking banned content. The PTA also noted, however, that it reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings again as soon as the platform does not block objectionable content again.

Second blocking of TikTok by PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority lifts the second ban on TikTok.

Restriction of dating services by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocks access to five dating/live streaming applications due to allegedly immoral content (Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grindr and SayHi).

Policies and Procedures Framework on Use of Generative AI Tools in Higher Education Institutions

data from government projects) should be processed using enterprise-grade AI tools with data

KP Digital Transformation Strategy 2030: AI and Emerging Technologies

AI and emerging-technologies component of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's digital transformation strategy. Describes planned provincial AI governance, public-service deployment and oversight measures. These are strategic objectives, not evidence that a separate AI law or regulatory unit has already been enacted.

Pakistan Adopts the Islamabad AI Declaration and Establishes Its Sovereign AI Position

NATIONAL JUDICIAL (POLICY MAKING) COMMITTEE UNVEILS NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023

AI law in Pakistan: The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (PDPB 2023) is a draft federal law proposed by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to regulate the processing, storage and transfer of personal data in Pakistan. It establishes data subject rights, obligations for data controllers and processors, breach notification duties, and creates a National Commission for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) with oversight and enforcement powers....

National Artificial Intelligence Policy (National AI Policy) 2025

AI law in Pakistan: The National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 (National AI Policy) establishes a six‑pillar national roadmap to build an inclusive, secure and innovation-driven AI ecosystem in Pakistan. Approved by the Federal Cabinet on 30–31 July 2025, it creates institutional structures (AI Council, Master Plan), funding instruments (National AI Fund / NAIF), Centres of Excellence, regulatory sandboxes and sectoral roadmaps to drive skills, research, infrastructure and responsible deployment....

Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024

AI law in Pakistan: The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024 (introduced in the Senate by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan) proposes a national regulatory framework for the development, deployment and oversight of AI in Pakistan. Key measures include creation of an Artificial Intelligence Commission, registration and oversight duties, obligations on transparency, data governance alignment with data-protection initiatives, incident reporting, and significant administrative penalties for non-compliance....

Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025

AI law in Pakistan: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 amends the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 to add new offences (including a specific provision criminalising dissemination of false or 'fake' information), create a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority and a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, and confer takedown, blocking and registration powers over online platforms. The Act came into force upon publication in the Official Gazette on 29 January 2025....

National Cyber Security Policy 2021

AI law in Pakistan: The National Cyber Security Policy 2021 (NCSP 2021), issued by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), establishes a national framework to strengthen Pakistan’s cyber resilience, protect critical information infrastructure, and coordinate public-private cybersecurity governance. The policy sets out governance structures, risk-based approaches, standards, capacity-building, incident response arrangements and international cooperation measures to manage cyber threats across government, critical sectors and private industry....

Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025

AI law in Pakistan: The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 (Act No. I of 2025) establishes a national framework for Pakistan’s digital transformation by creating the Pakistan Digital Authority, the National Digital Commission, and related oversight bodies to implement a National Digital Masterplan. The Act provides institutional powers to coordinate digital public infrastructure, promote interoperable digital services, and govern data sharing while requiring reporting and oversight mechanisms to monitor implementation....

Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence & Computing (PIAIC)

AI law in Pakistan: The Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (PIAIC) is a nationwide, Presidential-led strategy to accelerate digital upskilling in Pakistan through large-scale training and education programs in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Native Computing and Internet of Things. Launched under the auspices of the President’s office and implemented via public–private partnerships, PIAIC focuses on workforce development, inclusion (notably women’s participation), and university and industry collaboration to build an AI-ready talent pool for domestic and export markets. (piaic.org)...