Database

Browse Database

PAKISTAN

Since June 2021, until June 2026

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In June 2021, the Pakistani National Tariff Commission imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty for a period of five years on imports of phthalic anhydride (HS code: 291735) from China, Chinese Taipei, the Republic of Korea and Russia. This product is used in the production of flexible PVC products such as cables. The duty imposed on imports originating from China is 11.12%, from the Republic of Korea ranges from 9.57% to 14.82%, from Chinese Taipei ranges from 14.94% to 24.61%, and from Russia is 16.31%.
Coverage Product: Phthalic anhydride (HS code: 291735)

Countries: China, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Russia

PAKISTAN

Since June 2004

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Public Procurement Rules, 2004
According to Art. 24 of the Public Procurement Rules, procuring agencies are required to prioritise domestic suppliers or contractors when evaluating and comparing bids against international competitors. It is reported that a price preference of up to 25% is applied in all public procurement processes, depending on the level of domestic value-added content. The maximum preference is granted when at least 35% of the value added originates domestically
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Pakistan is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2015.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2023

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Foreign ownership restrictions
There are no ownership restrictions on sectors relevant for digital trade. However, it is reported that Pakistan prohibits foreign ownership in all sectors for citizens/companies from India and Israel.
Coverage Indian and Israeli companies

PAKISTAN

Reported in 2019, last reported in 2023

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
FDI screening regime
It is reported that Pakistan implements investment screening mechanisms for inbound foreign investments, blocking those deemed to pose a risk to national security based on the screening process. While the Board of Investment serves as the official lead agency for investment screening, it lacks the internal capacity to conduct such screenings and relies heavily on intelligence agencies to carry out the necessary due diligence.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Lack of participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Pakistan is not a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

Since June 1962, as amended in September 2000

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Ordinance No. XXXIV of 1962 (as amended by Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000 of September 2000)
The Copyright Ordinance of 1962 establishes a clear framework of copyright exceptions based on the fair dealing model, allowing the lawful use of copyrighted works by others without prior permission. Section 57, introduced through the 2000 amendment, outlines these exceptions, which include uses such as research or private study, criticism or review, and the public reading or recitation of reasonable excerpts from published literary or dramatic works, among others.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

Reported in 2016, last reported in 2023

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in Pakistan. It is reported that piracy remains widespread, including with respect to digital content and software. Furthermore, numerous cable operators provide pirated content and litigants with experience in these tribunals raise concerns over the lack of capacity, inconsistency of rulings, nominal fines, and a general lack of expertise among tribunal judges.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
Lack of signature of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
Pakistan has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Lack of signature of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Pakistan has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Effective protection covering trade secrets
Lack of regulatory framework covering trade secrets
Pakistan lacks a comprehensive regime for the protection of trade secrets.
Coverage Horizontal

PAKISTAN

N/A

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Indicator Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Lack of obligation to share passive infrastructure
It is reported that there is no obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Pakistan to deliver telecom services to end users. However, it is practised in both the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'PK')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"86170"},{"post_id":"86171"},{"post_id":"86172"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'PK')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'PK')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"1.00"}]

PAKISTAN

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
4.56%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
30.5%
Coverage: ICT goods

NEW ZEALAND

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
New Zealand has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

NEW ZEALAND

Since September 2019, last amended in 2021

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
New Zealand Strategic Goods List
The export of goods in the New Zealand Strategic Goods List is prohibited unless an exporter has approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The goods on the list are derived from the control lists produced by the four export control regimes New Zealand belongs to - the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. The Strategic Goods List includes technology, software, as well as military and dual-use goods. The list was promulgated in 2019 and was last amended in 2021 including additional goods.
Coverage Strategic goods

Report issue     Report new measure