Social Media Regulation in Pakistan — Between Free Speech, VPN Bans and Internet Shutdowns

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan experienced the highest financial losses globally from internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, with an estimated $1.62 billion in losses, according to industry reports. The country recorded 18 deliberate internet shutdowns totalling 9,735 hours, affecting 82.9 million users, often coinciding with elections and protests.

The trend has continued into 2025-26. Balochistan experienced a province-wide mobile internet suspension from August 6 to August 31, 2025, for security reasons, followed by another near-total communication blackout in late January 2026 due to widespread violence.

PECA Amendments

In January 2025, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) of 2016, granting the government broader control over social media. The amendments introduced a criminal offence for disseminating "false and fake information", carrying penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines.

SMPRA Establishment

In March 2026, the government officially launched the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), established under the PECA Amendment Act 2025. The SMPRA is empowered to:

• Content Regulation — Direct removal or blocking of content deemed against Pakistan's ideology
• Platform Control — Block social media platforms that fail to comply with directives
• Content Categories — Remove content inciting violence or damaging property

VPN Regulation

The government has pursued VPN regulation aggressively. In November 2025, the PTA issued the first set of VPN licences to five local companies. By December 2025, officials were urging a ban on free and unregistered VPNs, citing national security concerns. Proton VPN confirmed restrictions on its services in Pakistan since December 22, 2025.

Social Media for Minors

Debate over restricting social media access for children has continued. A bill to ban social media for children under 16 was introduced in the Senate in June 2025, though withdrawn in August. The issue resurfaced in January 2026 with a proposal for a ban under 18. In February 2026, the Islamabad High Court directed the PTA and PEMRA to submit a report on regulating minors' access to social media.

Digital Rights Concerns

Digital rights advocates have raised serious concerns about the scope of these measures. X (formerly Twitter) has remained blocked in Pakistan since February 2024. In December 2025, the Minister of State for Law and Justice warned that the government might ban any social media platform that does not cooperate with regulatory authorities. For Pakistan's freelancing sector — already a $1 billion export industry — internet disruptions carry heavy economic costs and damaged client relationships.