Pakistan’s Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) has started work on its rules. The move brings the country closer to a formal system for handling online content across major platforms.
The authority was created under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. It is set up to oversee how social media companies operate inside Pakistan. This is the first time the government has moved toward a single framework instead of scattered actions on digital content.
At the center of its work is control over harmful material online. That includes cyberbullying, fake news, violent posts, and content linked with extremism. The authority also looks at cases of harassment and misuse that affect users on digital platforms.
SMPRA plans to define how platforms should manage content and respond when rules are broken. Companies may be required to act faster on reported material and follow clearer standards. There is also discussion around requiring large platforms to set up local offices in Pakistan.
A complaint system is also part of the plan. Users will be able to report content and raise concerns directly. The idea is to bring more responsibility to platforms for what circulates online.
The authority was appointed in early 2026. Its first chair is a veteran lawyer, Ayaz Shaukat, who has served as Advocate General of Islamabad. On cybersecurity and digital policy issues, SMPRA will also liaise with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
The laws themselves are still in the works. They would be required to include the registration of platforms, content-handling standards and penalties for companies that do not comply. The eventual implementation will determine the level of strictness in the framework and how it applies to both users and technology companies.
