May 19, 2025
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD
“Despite the constitutional guarantee of privacy, the absence of a functional data protection law has left users vulnerable to surveillance and data breaches.”
This was agreed by the participants of a quarterly meeting of the Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy (FDRD) in Islamabad last week. The meeting was organised by the Institute for Research, Advocacy & Development (IRADA) with the assistance from International Media Support (IMS). The FDRD is an all-inclusive advocacy group that works to promote digital rights, right to information and freedom of expression in Pakistan.
The meeting gathered legal experts, media professionals, academics, and human rights advocates to discuss an in-progress report by IRADA that provides a comprehensive review of legal and constitutional frameworks impacting freedom of expression, privacy, right to information, artificial intelligence (AI), data protection, and journalist safety. It thoroughly examines both offline and online dimensions of expression and free speech while highlighting challenges and inconsistencies within the existing legal landscape.
The meeting specifically stressed the growing need for data protection legislation in the digital age. Despite the constitutional guarantee of privacy, the absence of a functional data protection law has left users vulnerable to surveillance and data breaches. The Personal Data Protection Bill 2021 remains under review, highlighting the pressing need for robust legislation that aligns with global standards.
Journalist and Women Journalists’ Association of Pakistan (WJAP) leader, Fauzia Kulsoom Rana, stated that “the issue of privacy law must be taken up by experts as well as regular citizens who deserve to have their data protected by the state. The effort to push for an efficient law must be done by all stakeholders together”.
The meeting concluded with participants giving pledges to take up the issue of right to privacy in their personal and professional capacities. Shafiq Chaudhry, Executive Director of the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) said, “the issue of the pending Personal Data Protection Bill 2021 must be taken up in parliament with relevant standing committees at the earliest, and PCHR will ensure its participation and support to secure a bill that protects citizens’ data, without breaching their fundamental rights.”