Chambers Practice Guide on Pakistan TMT Laws

We authored the Pakistan Chapter of the 2023 edition of the Practice Guide on Pakistan TMT Laws (technology, media and telecommunications).

The Practice Guide on Pakistan TMT Laws provides a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape in Pakistan, covering the digital economy, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, broadcast media, telecommunications regulation, and electronic signatures and digital identity.

The digital economy is rapidly growing in Pakistan. The Practice Guide on Pakistan TMT Laws provides insights into the regulatory framework governing digital banks, e-commerce, and electronic money institutions (EMIs), including the State Bank of Pakistan’s Licensing and Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks and the Electronic Money Institutions Regulations 2019. It also discusses the SBP’s plans regarding a Central Bank Digital Currency and launching a QR Code-based payment system to enable merchants to receive instant payments.

The guide also covers cloud computing and the legal framework governing outsourcing to cloud service providers. It discusses the SBP’s Framework on Outsourcing to Cloud Service providers applicable to financial institutions and the extent of application of the Personal Data Protection Bill (if and when enacted by Parliament) and of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021 to cloud computing.

The Internet of Things and machine-to-machine communication are also discussed in the guide, with a focus on the application of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganisation) Act 1996 (PTA Act) and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. 

Broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan are subject to regulation by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). The guide provides a detailed analysis of the regulatory framework governing broadcast media and distribution services, including licensing requirements, foreign ownership restrictions and requirements for broadcasting foreign satellite TV channels.

The Practice Guide on Pakistan TMT Laws provides an overview of the regulation of the operation of telecommunications systems and the provision of telecommunications services by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority. The guide discusses the PTA Act and regulations relating to the allocation of radio spectrum, terminal equipment approval, VoIP, and communication secrecy

Finally, the guide provides insights into the legal framework governing electronic signatures and digital identity use in Pakistan, covering the Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002 and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) regime.  For a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape in Pakistan, applicable technology, media and telecommunications, please read the full Pakistan Chapter of the 2023 edition of the Chambers Practice Guide.

For more information on Pakistan TMT Laws, contact our partners, Yousaf Khosa and Shafaq Rehman.

Note: This article is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.