According to Appendix A of the Import Policy Order 2016, last amended in 2022, Pakistan has banned the import of Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) 6.0 phone discs and tapes from all countries. The Order is issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, last amended in 2024.

According to the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (2015-2018), in order to avoid the misuse of 3D printers, they can only be imported with prior permission from the Ministry of Interior.

According to Appendix B of the Import Policy Order 2016, as amended in 2022, only the Pakistan Television Corporation and other licensed authorities by the Federal Government are allowed to import transmission equipment used for reception, broadcast and distribution of satellite signals pertaining to the field of electronic media. Other companies that have an agreement with the government may also import these items to supply cellular and mobile phone facilities. The Order is issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, last amended in 2024.

It is reported that Pakistan prohibits exports to India and Israel.

Section 5 of the "Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations" provides that applications for the type approval of terminal equipment shall include one sample of the terminal equipment corresponding to the model for which approval is sought, with the submitted sample being complete in all respects, including all necessary accessories, in order to enable the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to conduct a full technical evaluation. In addition, the application should include a declaration of conformity issued by the manufacturer, demonstrating compliance of the applied device with the relevant standards, such as radio frequency (RF), safety, specific absorption rate (SAR), and electromagnetic compatibility/electromagnetic interference (EMC/EMI), or any other standards as may be required by the Authority from time to time; and, where requested by the PTA, detailed test reports substantiating the standards referenced in the declaration of conformity, including, as applicable, reports relating to RF, safety, SAR, and EMC/EMI.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries for copyright infringements. According to Art. 38 of the PECA, there is a civil or criminal liability limitation for service providers for content posted by users unless it is proven that the service provider had “specific actual knowledge and willful intent to proactively and positively participate” in cybercrimes committed the Act. However, it is reported that the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rules 2020 passed in November 2020 create new obligations and liabilities for social media companies, which can be in contradiction of limitation of intermediary liability provisions for technology companies in PECA.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries beyond copyright infringements. According to Art. 38 of the PECA, there is a civil or criminal liability limitation for service providers for content posted by users unless it is proven that the service provider had “specific actual knowledge and willful intent to proactively and positively participate” in cybercrimes committed to the Act. However, it is reported that the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rules 2020 passed in November 2020 create new obligations and liabilities for social media companies, which can be in contradiction of limitation of intermediary liability provisions for technology companies in PECA.

It is reported that Pakistan’s approach to SIM registration obliges mobile network operators to collect and validate users’ personal information and proof of identity. In Pakistan, biometric registration is required, and unregistered SIM cards are subject to deactivation.

According to Art. 7.5 of the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021, which repealed the 2020 Rules, "Significant Social Media Companies" have to deploy mechanisms to ensure immediate blocking of live streaming of any online content related to terrorism and hate speech, among others. According to Art. 2 of the law, a "Significant Social Media Company" includes social media companies with more than half a million users in Pakistan or is on the list specially notified by the Authority for this purpose from time to time

Section 37 of the "Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016" empowers the Authority to remove, block, or issue directions for the removal or blocking of access to information disseminated through any information system where it considers such action necessary. The grounds for exercising this power include the interest of the glory of Islam; the integrity, security, or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof; public order; decency or morality; contempt of court; or the commission of, or incitement to commit, an offence under the Act. The provision further stipulates that the Authority shall, subject to the approval of the Federal Government, prescribe rules establishing safeguards, a transparent process, and an effective oversight mechanism governing the exercise of these powers. Pursuant to this mandate, the "Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021" were enacted.
There are several reported instances of commercial online services being blocked in Pakistan:
- Grindr has reportedly been inaccessible in Pakistan since at least 31 May 2019, with the blockage continuing into 2025. Although a governmental order dated 1 September 2020 expressly directed the blocking of Grindr and other dating applications, technical measurement data indicate that access restrictions were in effect prior to this date. The order cited concerns relating to immoral or indecent content, grounds expressly provided for under Section 37 of the Act.
- Telegram was blocked in Pakistan beginning on 16 December 2023, with the restriction remaining in force as of 2025. No publicly available governmental orders or official statements have acknowledged or justified this decision. Available evidence suggests uneven implementation across Internet service providers, with some restricting access solely to the web-based version of the service (telegram.org), while others also blocking the mobile application.
- Signal was blocked on selected mobile networks in Pakistan from approximately 26 August 2024. By 6 November 2024, the blocking appeared to have been extended across all major providers. This restriction likewise remained active as of 2025.

Pakistan mandates functional and accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Rules, no person shall establish, maintain or operate any telecommunications system or provide any telecommunications service unless a licence for the same has been granted to it by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Pursuant to Art. 3.1, the license to provide basic telephone service cannot be granted. Still, applications may be made for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of any telecommunication system or the provision of any telecommunication service other than basic telephone service. According to Art. 4.3, in determining whether or not to grant a license, the Authority shall take into account the following factors:
- the financial and economic viability of the applicant;
- the applicant's experience in telecommunications and relevant history;
- the technical competence and experience of the applicant's management and key members of staff and local participation in the business;
- the nature of the services proposed and the viability of the applicant's business plan, including the applicant's proposed roll-out and service quality commitments and its contribution to the development of the telecommunications sector;
- the quality of the applicant's telecommunications system or network; and
- the terms of the bid made by the applicant where the license is to be issued under a competitive process.
If the PTA considers that there are any factors in relation to that application that threaten or potentially threaten national security, it may reject an application.

Pursuant to Art. 5 of the Class of 2007 Value Added Services Licensing and Registration Regulations, application for the grant of a Registered Services license for the provision of value-added services shall be made in the manner set forth in Schedule "A" of the Regulations. According to Art. 2, value-added services are all telecommunication services, excluding the core telecommunications services of access providers, as determined by the Authority from time to time.
Pursuant to Art. 6, the authority may grant a license or Registration Certificate to any applicant who fulfils the open, transparent, and non-discriminatory eligibility criteria given by the Authority from time to time. The Authority for providing a license shall take into account the following factors:
- the financial and economic viability of the applicant;
- the applicant's experience in telecommunications and relevant past history;
- technical competence and experience of applicant's management and key members of staff and local participation in the business; and
- the nature of the services proposed and the viability of the applicant's business plan, including its contribution to the development of the telecommunications sector.
However, the Authority may reject an application if it appears that the grant of the License or Registration Certificate shall threaten or potentially threaten national security.

Pakistan has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.

It is reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as the principal executive body responsible for supervising and regulating services within the telecommunications sector, operates independently of governmental influence in its decision-making processes. Section 3 of the "Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996" establishes the Authority as a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal, endowed, subject to the provisions of the Act, with the legal capacity to acquire, hold, and dispose of both movable and immovable property, and to initiate or be subject to legal proceedings in its own name. The Authority shall comprise three members, all appointed by the Federal Government, which may also increase the number of members and prescribe their qualifications and modes of appointment. Moreover, the Federal Government shall appoint one member as Chairman. Notwithstanding this apparent institutional autonomy, Section 8.2A provides that the Cabinet, or any committee authorised by it, may issue policy directives on matters relating to the telecommunications sector, which are binding on the Authority.