June 2026: DRF at the Senate of Pakistan and Beyond

Regional Engagements & Domestic Initiatives

DRF Takes the Senate: Our Commitment to Those Most Vulnerable

DRF Founder and Executive Director Nighat Dad and Programs Lead Anam Baloch attended a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee to discuss the status of honour killings in Pakistan on 15 June 2026. During the meeting, Nighat Dad brought up the gross injustice carried out in the acquittal of Qandeel Baloch’s murdered that came about and the overall epidemic of honour killings in Pakistan.

On the Frontline of Digital Rights

The DRF team was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Sardar Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Punjab Bar Council.

Since 2013, we have been working tirelessly to preserve and advocate for citizen’s rights and safety in digital spaces. In 2016, we launched the Digital Security Helpline as a pro-bono, survivor-centred space for those facing cyber harassment and digital security threats. In our 10 years of running, we have supported more than 23,000 complainants.

With 2026 being marked as the Year of Human Rights in the Digital Space, we’re grateful to be recognised for our contributions. The work continues, and we are glad to be leading the charge.

Our Latest Research & Advocacy

Qanoon Kya Kehta Hai?

What can you do if you’re being stalked online? Or if someone posts pictures of you without your consent? Or if you’re being cyberbullied? DRF’s legal team has all the answers. Watch Qanoon Kya Kehta Hai season 2, brought to you by our Communications Team, where we answer your most frequently asked questions.

Spotlight: Our Annual Report

2025 marked an important year for DRF. We established the Digital Accountability Collective South Asia (DACSA) alongside our regional partners, produced research that drove global conversations, and tracked emerging technologies and fast-changing digital threats.

But beyond all that, it’s the 3,012 calls to our Helpline, the survivors we stood beside through legal escalations, and the flood-hit districts of Jhang and Chiniot where we worked to restore power and digital access that define the year for us. These are the communities that make us who we are. Read our annual report for more.

DRF’s Submission to The Oversight Board

The Oversight Board has overturned Meta’s decision to leave up an AI-generated sexualized impersonation video and called for stronger protections against non-consensual AI-generated intimate imagery. The decision recognizes a key principle long advocated by digital rights and feminist organizations around how AI-generated sexualized impersonation should be treated as non-consensual by default.

DRF’s research team contributed to the public consultation, highlighting the growing harms of AI-generated image-based abuse in South Asia and the need for stronger reporting, enforcement and survivor-centered remedies. Read the full submission here.

Press Coverage

Under-16s Social Media Ban: Protection, or Shifting Blame?

Countries around the world are working towards imposing bans on under-16s using social media platforms. But is this the right move? In conversation with Bol News, DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad explained how blanket bans seem to offer an easy solution, but in actuality prove to be ineffective while shifting blame from platforms to users. Watch the segment here.

Events

DRF at DRAPAC26

DRF was in attendance at the Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly 2026, held in Manila, Philippines, from 8 to 10 June. The convening brought together digital rights advocates, civil society organizations, and representatives from tech companies, for three days of discussion around the theme of ‘Building the Commons: Scaling Collective Resources for Our Digital Futures’.

MISPs for Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies

DRF Programs Lead, Anam Baloch, attended the three-day Orientation on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE), organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and UNFPA Pakistan from 16–18 June 2026. The orientation strengthened participants’ understanding of humanitarian coordination, GBV response, and the integration of lifesaving SRH services into emergency preparedness and response.

Consultation on the National Policy on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

On 22 June 2026, DRF Programs Lead Anam Baloch participated in the consultation on the development of Pakistan’s National Policy on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), jointly convened by the Ministry of Human Rights, IOM Pakistan, and UN Women Pakistan. During the consultation, she shared key insights from DRF’s review of the draft policy as well as submitting a detailed written review, including feedback and recommendations, to support the development of a comprehensive, rights-based policy to end violence against women and girls.

Tech Trends

Meta Removes Facial Recognition Features From AI Application

After published reports found that Meta had covertly embedded facial recognition software into an app installed on over 50 million phones, the company has removed it. The Meta AI app, preinstalled into Meta Glasses, upon release had a software called NameTag which allowed glasses to convert faces into unique biometric signatures, and compare them against existing databases. While a few fragments of the software still exist, most of the system has now been updated without facial recognition.

Tip of the Month

Your Email Knows Who Logged In. Do You?

Check your email account’s Recent Activity or Login History at least once a month.
Look for logins from unknown devices, locations, or unusual times.
If you notice any suspicious activity, change your password immediately and sign out of all other sessions.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of protection.
Remove devices that you no longer use or recognize from your account.
Regularly reviewing your login history helps you detect unauthorized access early and protect your personal information.

DRF Resources

Digital Security Helpline

The Digital Security Helpline received 367 complaints in June 2026, of which 322 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: (Comms + Legal)

DRF’s Legal team processed 3 complaints in June 2026, all involving women, mostly related to blackmailing over intimate content.

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

IWF Portal