Key Takeaways
- SMPRA, Pakistan's new social media regulator, has not yet begun operations.
- The authority lacks a budget, office, staff, and operational secretariat.
- Regulation of major platforms like Facebook and TikTok remains on hold.
Pakistan’s Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) continues to face significant delays in its operations despite the appointment of key officials. According to officials quoted by ProPakistani, the authority has not yet commenced work due to a lack of budgetary allocation and essential infrastructure.
The SMPRA was established under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Act 2025, which was passed in January 2025. The federal government formally constituted the authority in March 2026 by appointing Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat as chairman and other board members.
However, without a budget, the SMPRA cannot recruit staff or establish an operational secretariat. This has left the authority unable to carry out its mandate of overseeing major social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. The regulator is tasked with monitoring online content, protecting users from cyberbullying and harassment, and ensuring compliance with Pakistan’s laws.
SMPRA officials have stated that the authority has requested funds from the Ministry of Finance to cover its operational expenses. Budget approval is necessary for the recruitment of employees and the establishment of a secretariat. Until these arrangements are completed, the regulator will remain in an implementation phase, unable to exercise its powers fully.
The tribunal that will function alongside SMPRA has also not yet been established. Both the authority and the tribunal are currently undergoing administrative and legal procedures before they can begin their operations. The regulation of social media platforms is expected to commence once these processes are completed.
Under the law, SMPRA will have extensive powers including monitoring online content, protecting users from cyberbullying, requiring registration with local and foreign social media companies, ordering the removal of illegal or harmful content, imposing fines up to Rs. 500 million for violations, and recommending blocking platforms that repeatedly fail to comply with Pakistan’s laws.
The delay in establishing the SMPRA has raised concerns among stakeholders about the effectiveness of regulatory measures in protecting online users. While the authority is finalizing its rules and regulations, it remains unable to begin day-to-day operations due to the absence of a budget and infrastructure.
