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May 3, 2026 - Comments Off on Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Press Freedom Amid Rising Threats to Journalists

Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Press Freedom Amid Rising Threats to Journalists

On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistan’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to protecting press freedom while acknowledging growing challenges faced by journalists. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of credible journalism, warning against rising disinformation, including AI-driven falsehoods, and the influence of digital platforms on public discourse.

Officials emphasised that a free and independent media is essential for democracy, while also calling for responsible reporting and adherence to ethical standards. However, concerns remain significant, as recent data shows increasing threats to journalists, including legal pressure, digital harassment, and physical violence.

The statements reflect a broader tension between commitments to press freedom and the realities of shrinking civic space, misinformation risks, and evolving challenges posed by digital technologies in Pakistan’s media landscape.

 

May 3, 2026 - Comments Off on YouTuber Arrested Under Anti-Terrorism Laws Over Alleged Online Recruitment

YouTuber Arrested Under Anti-Terrorism Laws Over Alleged Online Recruitment

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Lahore has arrested a YouTuber for allegedly recruiting individuals for a banned organisation and disseminating prohibited material online. The suspect, identified as Muhammad Saad bin Riaz, associated with a YouTube channel, has been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, including provisions related to support for proscribed groups and distribution of related content.

According to the FIR, the arrest was made during an intelligence-based operation, where authorities claimed to recover banned material and alleged links to a militant network. The CTD stated that the individual was engaged in recruitment activities and spreading extremist content.

The case highlights ongoing concerns around the use of digital platforms for extremist propaganda and recruitment, as well as the increasing role of law enforcement in monitoring and regulating online spaces in Pakistan.

April 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Meesha Shafi Challenges Defamation Verdict in Lahore High Court

Meesha Shafi Challenges Defamation Verdict in Lahore High Court

Singer Meesha Shafi has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court challenging a lower court’s decision that ordered her to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar in a defamation case linked to sexual harassment allegations. The appeal argues that the trial court erred in law by ruling on defamation while the underlying harassment complaint remains unresolved and pending before the Supreme Court.

Shafi contends that her statements were made as part of a lawful complaint and are protected under qualified privilege. The appeal also challenges the court’s assessment of evidence, arguing that “unproven” allegations should not be treated as false and that the judgment relied on stereotypical assumptions about survivor behaviour.

The case highlights ongoing debates around defamation law, survivor rights, and the intersection of freedom of expression and accountability in Pakistan. 

April 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha Seek Early Supreme Court Hearing in PECA Conviction Case

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha Seek Early Supreme Court Hearing in PECA Conviction Case

Human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha have approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing of their appeals against convictions under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The couple was sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison on charges including cyber terrorism, glorification of an offence, and dissemination of false information linked to social media posts.

Their petition argues that the trial was flawed and requests suspension of their sentence pending appeal, citing prolonged incarceration and delays in proceedings before the Islamabad High Court. The case stems from allegations that their online content targeted state institutions.

The matter raises broader concerns about the application of cybercrime laws, due process, and the impact of digital speech regulation on fundamental rights in Pakistan.

April 29, 2026 - Comments Off on Meta Found in Breach of EU Law Over Child Safety Failures

Meta Found in Breach of EU Law Over Child Safety Failures

The European Commission has found Meta in preliminary breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to effectively prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram. The investigation revealed that Meta’s age verification systems were inadequate, allowing underage users to create accounts using false birthdates, while reporting tools were deemed ineffective.

Regulators stated that Meta failed to meet its own minimum age requirements and did not sufficiently mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to harmful content. If upheld, the findings could lead to fines of up to 6% of the company’s global annual revenue.

Meta has disputed the findings, stating it continues to invest in age-detection technologies. The case reflects growing regulatory scrutiny across Europe over platform responsibility and child safety, with several countries considering stricter age restrictions on social media use.

April 29, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan Issues National Guidelines for Use of AI in Judiciary

Pakistan Issues National Guidelines for Use of AI in Judiciary

The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) has approved and issued national guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Pakistan’s judicial system, marking a significant step toward digital transformation in courts. The framework emphasises a human-centric approach, ensuring that AI serves as an assistive tool while judges remain the final decision-makers.

The guidelines outline safeguards for ethical and transparent AI use, including measures to prevent bias, ensure accountability, and protect data privacy. They also highlight practical applications such as case management, legal research, and document processing, alongside capacity-building initiatives to train judges and court staff.

Developed through consultations with high courts and experts, the framework aligns with international standards while allowing flexibility for provincial implementation. The move is seen as a milestone in balancing innovation with judicial independence, efficiency, and the protection of fundamental rights in Pakistan’s justice system.

April 29, 2026 - Comments Off on PTBA Flags Gaps in FBR’s Digital Tax System, Calls for Greater Transparency and Accountability

PTBA Flags Gaps in FBR’s Digital Tax System, Calls for Greater Transparency and Accountability

The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has raised concerns over gaps in the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) digital tax system, urging immediate reforms to improve alignment with legal frameworks and enhance taxpayer facilitation. In a formal submission to the FBR chairman, the association highlighted issues such as inconsistencies between digital processes and statutory provisions, incomplete system integration, and the absence of mechanisms for correcting digital records.

PTBA proposed a series of recommendations, including full alignment of laws and regulations within the IRIS system, integration of HS codes, and the establishment of a transparent, time-bound grievance redressal mechanism with a 48–72 hour resolution window. It also called for clearer accountability between FBR and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), as well as public disclosure of system performance indicators such as uptime and error rates.

The recommendations underscore broader concerns around digital governance, system transparency, and accountability in Pakistan’s ongoing digitisation efforts, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and user-centric reforms to ensure trust and efficiency in public digital services.

April 29, 2026 - Comments Off on Australia Proposes Tax on Tech Giants to Support News Media

Australia Proposes Tax on Tech Giants to Support News Media

Australia has unveiled draft legislation that would impose a tax on major tech platforms such as Meta, Google, and TikTok unless they reach voluntary agreements to compensate local news publishers. The proposal aims to address the financial challenges faced by traditional media outlets as audiences increasingly consume news through social media platforms. Under the draft law, companies that fail to strike deals could face a levy of 2.25 percent of their Australian revenue.

The move builds on Australia’s earlier media bargaining framework and seeks to close loopholes that previously allowed platforms to avoid payments by removing news content altogether. The government argues that journalism holds economic value and that tech companies benefiting from news distribution should contribute to its sustainability.

However, the proposal has faced pushback from tech companies, with Meta describing it as a “digital services tax” and Google questioning its scope and fairness. The development highlights ongoing global tensions between governments, media organisations, and technology platforms over revenue sharing, platform responsibility, and the future of journalism in the digital age.

April 28, 2026 - Comments Off on March 2026: DRF’s Commitment to Creating Survivor-Centered Care

March 2026: DRF’s Commitment to Creating Survivor-Centered Care

Regional Engagements & Domestic Initiatives

Digital Safety: #ForAllWomenAndGirls

At the 70th Session on the Commission of Status of Women, DRF Founder Nighat Dad highlighted the growing risk the misuse of artificial intelligence poses to the safety of women and children online. To counteract these harms, she added, it is necessary to ensure legal frameworks and actions of recourse are survivor centered. Watch her address at the High-Level Meeting on Violence Against Women and Girls here.

“Ab Kya?” – a Spotlight on Our Digital Security Helpline Team

This month, we launched “Ab Kya?” (“What Now?”), a short video where our dedicated Incident Response Analysts offer advice on how to best approach survivors of digital violence with support. Covering themes such as how to sensitively speak about abuse; keeping minors safe online; and explaining differences between social media platforms and their risks, the series presents guidance on how to navigate complex situations both online and offline. Watch more here.

Our Latest Research & Advocacy

Disinformation in Warfare in the Age of AI and Synthetic Media

Recent escalations between the United States (US), Israel, and Iran have brought the world to a standstill, accompanied by an overwhelming surge of information across online platforms – much of which may not be occurring in real time or may lack verification altogether. This short investigative piece by DRF examines how the evolving nature of modern warfare grows to show that conflicts are no longer fought solely on physical battlefields but also across digital information ecosystems with consequences that extend far beyond online spaces.

Digital 50:50 - Our Data, Our Rights: Reclaiming Privacy in the Digital Age

At a time when data is increasingly used as a tool of power, surveillance and even warfare, DRF’s first Digital 50:50 edition of 2026 brings us back to the basics: who controls our data, how it is used, and who is most at risk. From AI and biometric systems to everyday apps, our digital lives are shaping real-world consequences, especially for women and marginalized communities. This edition is a call to reflect, question and reclaim our rights in an increasingly data-driven world.

Press Coverage

Society: Between Visibility and Violence

Dawn quotes DRF Founder Nighat Dad on the underreporting of complaints from vulnerable communities, pointing towards a greater structural problem in how abuse is addressed online. Read more here.

Events

Online Safety for Working Women, Simplified

To mark International Women’s Day, Communications Lead Vaneeza Jawad spoke at COLABS shedding light on the legal frameworks protecting women in digital spaces and the resources available when those protections are tested. The session was contextualised by establishing the necessity of online safety for working women.

Tech Trends

Google Allows Email Address Change

Google’s chief executive, Sundar Pichai, took to X to announce that Gmail users would now be allowed to change their email addresses without creating completely new accounts and/or inboxes. Changes can be made through Google account settings. The update is currently only available to users in the United States with Google representatives unsure about when it will be released worldwide.

Sadapay goes offline

Late last month, Pakistani fintech company SadaPay announced that it was going offline for all users due to disruptions in its infrastructure. A representative from the company stated that Sadapay’s infrastructure runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS) located in Bahrain, a region that has been affected by the US-Iran-Israeli conflicts. They further stated that full app outage of users is a direct result of their cloud facilities being under drone attacks. While app functionality is still unavailable, the company guarantees that their customer’s data and money are safe and well accounted for.

OpenAI shuts down Sora

In the wake of concerns raised about misinformation and TFGBV through AI-generated non-consensual imagery, OpenAI has shut down its AI video-generation app, Sora. Unveiled approximately 2 years ago, the app was known for creating ‘realistic videos’ based on basic prompts but has recently come under scrutiny for its lack of monetization and possibility of copyright infringement. Closure of SoraAI is not expected to impact image-generation capabilities within ChatGPT and OpenAI has claimed that it plans on redirecting resources towards training robots.

Tip of the Month

Rapid developments in Artificial Intelligence have resulted in AI-generated content becoming more sophisticated, and harder to spot. It’s difficult to tell what’s real online and what's not, especially when it comes to content like images and videos. This makes it easier for misinformation. Here are a few handy tips to spot AI-generated content and avoid sharing misleading material:

  • Examine Hands and Eyes: Check for malformed fingers, distorted hands, or unnaturally rendered eyes (e.g., dead, too wide, or unusual gaze).
  • Check Backgrounds and Text: Look for distorted, warped, or melting backgrounds. Text within images often appears as nonsensical, jumbled letters.
  • Verify Shadows and Reflections: AI frequently violates physical laws, casting shadows in multiple directions or creating impossible reflections.
  • Look Out for Textures That Seem "Too Perfect": AI often produces surfaces that are unnaturally smooth, lacking the imperfections (pores, stray hairs) of real photography.
  • Reverse Image Search: Use tools like Google Images or Yandex to trace the origin of the image and see if it has been flagged elsewhere.

DRF Resources:

Digital Security Helpline

The Digital Security Helpline received 277 complaints in March 2026, of which 239 were related to cyber harassment.

If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our helpline at 0800-39393, email us at helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk or reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’re available for assistance from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Sunday.

Legal Support

DRF’s Legal team processed 5 complaints in March 2026, with 4 involving women, mostly related to blackmailing and harassment.

If you’re in need of any legal support or advice, you can reach out to DRF’s Ab Aur Nahin portal.

IWF Portal

        www.report.iwf.org.uk/pk

StopNCII.org

       https://stopncii.org/ 

April 27, 2026 - Comments Off on LHC Refers Punjab Defamation Act Challenge to Chief Justice Amid Free Speech Concerns

LHC Refers Punjab Defamation Act Challenge to Chief Justice Amid Free Speech Concerns

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has referred a set of petitions challenging the Punjab Defamation Act 2024 to the chief justice for reconstitution of a bench, following objections raised by the provincial government’s counsel. The legislation, introduced in June 2024, aims to address defamatory content across print, electronic, and social media, but has been widely contested by journalists, civil society, and legal experts. Critics, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), argue that the law poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and press freedom by limiting the ability to hold public officials accountable.

During proceedings, petitioners’ lawyers maintained that the law undermines democratic principles, while the government argued procedural grounds for referring the case to the chief justice due to the involvement of tribunal appointments under the Act. The referral has raised concerns about delays in adjudicating a law that has significant implications for media regulation and freedom of expression in Punjab. The outcome of the case is expected to have broader implications for the balance between defamation regulation and constitutional rights in Pakistan.