n a rapidly evolving digital age, Pakistan is at a pivotal crossroads. A nation of over 240 million people, more than half of them under 30, is witnessing an unprecedented surge in technological integration across governance, economy, education and civil society.

From use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary to satellite surveillance in forest management, digitalisation is rewriting Pakistan’s latest development narrative. But alongside this progress, major concerns persist around policy coherence, digital rights, cybercrime and regulatory uncertainty.

As the state attempts to regulate a volatile technological landscape, questions of inclusivity, transparency and accountability are gaining more prominence than ever before. Data collected from various sources and made public by Freedom Network has revealed that Pakistan is passing through a new digital phase of cyber security and digital media potential issues.

Governance in the age of algorithms

Pakistan’s march toward digital governance has taken on notable momentum. The federal and provincial governments have launched several initiatives to digitise education, public safety, law enforcement and environmental monitoring. In the Punjab, systems such as the thermal forest surveillance have marked a shift toward e-governance efficiency. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the monitoring of forests has benefited from deployment of technology.

The Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority symbolises a critical breakthrough in gender-sensitive digital governance. By placing women at the heart of decision-making and enforcement, the authority promises a unique model of inclusive governance.

SUPARCO’s call for participation in Pakistan’s first manned space mission and the upcoming deployment of Pakistani astronauts to China’s space station reinforce futuristic national ambitions. The leap forward must be grounded in regulatory reform and capacity-building, lest it remain symbolic rather than systemic.

A digital economy in the offing

Key Pakistani startups have raised over $1 billion in the past decade, signaling investor confidence in the country’s digital ecosystem. The Raast digital payment platform reached a whopping Rs 6.4 trillion in transactions in second quarter of 2025. IT exports grew by 23 percent in just three months. Initiatives like the Digital FDI Forum 2025, the development of IT parks in districts like Attock and foreign investment pledges totaling $700 million reflect a growing digital economy with immense untapped potential.

The Digital Pakistan Policy 2018, though well-intentioned, lacked actionable goals and remains outdated in the face of rapid tech disruption. The absence of a comprehensive crypto policy, criticised by the Peshawar High Court and the Federal Tax Ombudsman and the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s sluggish response to crypto taxation issues highlight a policymaking void in a high-risk digital domain.

From expression to surveillance

The digital landscape is also becoming a battleground for civil liberties. Journalists, musicians, content creators and rights activists have had cases registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, often for content deemed controversial or critical of state institutions. The cases of musician Salman Ahmad and lawyer-activist Jalila Haider highlight the concerns of state’s growing intolerance for dissent in digital spaces.

Even state actors have not been immune. A Karachi police officer was briefly detained for a social media post criticising the president. The Punjab government’s move to electronically tag individuals on the Fourth Schedule has raised ethical and legal questions about privacy and surveillance in the name of security.

The formation of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency offers hope for a more specialised response to cyber threats. But to truly protect citizens’ digital rights, the state must develop a rights-based digital governance framework.

The formation of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency offers hope for a more specialised response to cyber threats. But to truly protect citizens’ digital rights, Pakistan must move beyond ad hoc legal actions and develop a rights-based digital governance framework.

Connectivity and Starlink

Amid this flux, internet access and affordability remain contentious. As Starlink awaits final regulatory approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the telecom operators are wary. While satellite internet promises connectivity in remote regions, its high cost has prompted concerns that it may cater to the elite but not the underserved.

Meanwhile, giants like the PTCL and Telenor continue to push for consolidation, hoping mergers will help them withstand future disruptions. Delays in approvals by the Competition Commission of Pakistan are fueling frustration and uncertainty.

The PTA’s move to license VPN services and the launch of a Temporary Mobile Registration System for expats and visitors are steps toward modernising digital infrastructure. But systemic issues like poor rural connectivity, bureaucratic inertia and inconsistent regulatory enforcement continue to hamper digital equity.

Digital defence or a dystopia?

The Banking Mohtasib resolved over 27,000 fraud complaints in 2024 alone, recovering over Rs 1.65 billion. These figures reflect not just the volume of cybercrime but also the gaps in digital awareness and infrastructure. Experts at a Sustainable Development Policy Institute dialogue warned that without unified and modern data protection laws, Pakistan’s digital expansion could endanger financial security, personal privacy and public trust.

AI a double-edged sword

While the Supreme Court and provincial governments including those of Balochistan are exploring AI for efficiency, education and governance, there’s little clarity on ethical safeguards or bias mitigation. The State Bank of Pakistan is drafting AI use guidelines for banks — a move long overdue.

EdTech and AI-powered tools like Khan Academy’s Khanmigo are transforming education, but only for those with access. Faulty Chromebooks distributed in Islamabad schools point to a deeper issue: digital inclusion requires not just a willingness to welcome technology, but also quality control, maintenance and training.

Speaking for the people

Pakistan’s digital rights advocates and civil society groups remain under immense pressure. Supporting banned movements, criticiing institutions or even pushing for policy reform can invite state backlash. Yet their role is indispensable in ensuring a human-centered digital future.

International organisations and platforms like the UN, as well a domestic actors, are calling for transparency in data governance, equitable internet access and protection of free expression. The real test for Pakistan lies in whether it can bridge the gap between advocacy and action.

How it adds up

Pakistan is not short on digital ambition. From AI in courts and 5G expansion to fin-tech innovation and satellite space collaboration with China, the country is crafting a new identity. Its strength will depend on how inclusively, transparently and responsibly it is built.

A digital Pakistan must work for all its people; that means universal internet access, safe online spaces, rights-respecting laws, efficient governance and ethical innovation. As technology redefines what it means to govern, learn, trade and live, Pakistan must ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

The promise is real. So is the peril. Now is the time for policies and people to meet at the frontier.

The writer is a freelance journalist and social activist. He can bereached @ thenewslkl@gmail.com