LAHORE: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has commenced the regulation of social media platforms starting Thursday, as announced by its Director-General Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo during a seminar focused on social media oversight.
Wattoo emphasized that digital media has evolved beyond being a mere extension of electronic media, emerging as a distinct and significant sector that contributes to the national economy. She noted the ubiquity of mobile phones and the widespread expression of opinions, underscoring that Pemra’s duties extend beyond simply banning content or issuing warnings.
Highlighting Pemra’s broader responsibilities, Wattoo stated the authority plays a vital role in nation-building and curbing the dissemination of misinformation. She also pointed out that Pemra operates on self-generated revenue without government funding. The regulator chief remarked that social media revenue now forms a crucial part of television channels’ overall income, reinforcing the need to recognize digital media as both a media platform and an economic sector.
In a significant development, Wattoo accused India of producing fabricated footage using deepfake technology, referencing recent tensions and the use of artificial intelligence-generated content. She praised the Inter-Services Public Relations director-general for defending Pakistan’s stance and acknowledged the responsible conduct of electronic media. Wattoo added that had social media been regulated earlier, Pakistan could have countered adversarial narratives more effectively.
Regarding the legal framework, Pemra was originally established under the Pemra Ordinance 2002 to oversee private electronic media, including broadcast and distribution services. Its regulatory scope currently covers satellite television, radio, cable, IPTV, and related broadcast services. The authority has previously explored extending its jurisdiction to internet-based content, issuing consultation papers on Web TV and over-the-top (OTT) services and forming committees to consider their inclusion within the broadcast-media framework.
However, social media regulation has evolved under a separate legal regime. Amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act in 2025 led to the creation of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, tasked specifically with regulating social media platforms, including their registration and the management of unlawful or offensive content. This law also grants powers to remove or block certain content and to take action against non-compliant platforms. Transitional provisions allow existing institutions to continue some functions until the new authority and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency are fully operational.
Further legislative developments include the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2026, passed in March, alongside ongoing parliamentary committee discussions addressing digital and social media regulation and overlapping legal mandates.
Concerns about children’s social media use have also reached the judiciary. In August, the Islamabad High Court requested responses from the government, Pemra, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and other bodies regarding a petition seeking a regulatory framework for social media use by children under 16.
Against this complex backdrop, Pemra’s announcement to begin regulating social media raises important questions about how its role will align with the existing statutory framework governing social media platforms and the newly established authorities under the amended cybercrime legislation.
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