TÜRKIYE
N/A
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Sub-pillar Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Türkiye is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996, but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
PAKISTAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Pakistan 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
PAKISTAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Pakistan has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
PAKISTAN
Since 2002
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Pakistan has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
PAKISTAN
Since October 2021
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Local presence requirement for digital services providers
Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020
According to Art. 7.6 of the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020, Significant Social Media Companies shall: (i) appoint a grievance officer based in Pakistan; (ii) appoint a compliance officer (iii) establish an office in Pakistan with physical address preferably located in Islambad. According to Art. 2 of the law, Significant Social Media Company means and includes a Social Media Company with more than half million users in Pakistan or is in the list specially notifies by the Authority for this purpose from time to time
Coverage Internet intermediaries
PAKISTAN
Since October 1995
Since November 1997
Since October 2003
Since January 2005
Since November 1997
Since October 2003
Since January 2005
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Islamabad Consumer Protection Act (1995)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Consumer Protection Act (1997)
Balochistan Consumer Protection Act (2003)
Punjab Consumers Protection Act (2005)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Consumer Protection Act (1997)
Balochistan Consumer Protection Act (2003)
Punjab Consumers Protection Act (2005)
The Islamabad Consumer Protection Act (1995), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Consumer Protection Act (1997), the Balochistan Consumer Protection Act (2003), and the Punjab Consumers Protection Act (2005) provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal
PAKISTAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
Pakistan does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties. However, it is reported that there is an informal threshold of USD 10.
Coverage Horizontal
PAKISTAN
Reported in 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Sub-pillar Restrictions on online payments
Ban on online payments for the subscription of electronic media content
It is reported that in November 2020, the Pakistan government banned online payments from India for the subscription of electronic media content as part of the capabilities offered by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2002. In practice, this restriction impacts the provision of electronic media content.
Coverage Indian online payments
Sources
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-bans-online-payments-for-indian-electronic-media-content-report/articleshow/79209192.cms#:~:text=KARACHI%3A%20Pakistan%20government%20has%20asked...
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-bans-online-payments-for-indian-electronic-media-content-report/articleshow/79209280.cms?from=mdr
- http://pid.gov.pk/uploads/media_laws/Ordinance_2002.pdf
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PAKISTAN
Since October 1996
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Self-certification for product safety
Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996
Under the Telecom Act 1996 (section 29), approval by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is required for any telecommunication terminal equipment that can be directly or indirectly connected with PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and radio equipment. No person may install any telecommunication equipment as part of, or connect terminal equipment (other than by a plug‑into‑socket connection) to any public switched network except in accordance with regulations made by the Authority. Tablet PCs with Wi-Fi only functionality have been exempted from approval of the PTA as of August 2015 Authority Decision.
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority accepts foreign standard test reports as the basis for approval of most telecommunications equipment connected directly or indirectly to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and radio equipment. The applicant for the approval may be a foreign manufacturer. It is reported that such type approval for a local manufacturer is twice cheaper (5000 PKR, approx. 48 USD) than for a foreign one (100 USD).
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority accepts foreign standard test reports as the basis for approval of most telecommunications equipment connected directly or indirectly to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and radio equipment. The applicant for the approval may be a foreign manufacturer. It is reported that such type approval for a local manufacturer is twice cheaper (5000 PKR, approx. 48 USD) than for a foreign one (100 USD).
Coverage Telecommunication sector
PAKISTAN
Since April 1950, as amended in April 2016
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950
Import Policy Order 2020
Import Policy Order 2020
According to the Import Policy Order of 2016 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, only the Pakistan Television Corporation and others licensed authorities by the Federal Government are allowed to import transmission apparatus for radio broadcasting or television, television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders. Other companies which have an agreement with the Government may also import these items for the supply of cellular and mobile phone facility.
Coverage Transmission apparatus whether or not incorporating reception apparatus, (excluding fax machines and mobile phones) T.V. transmission antenna system, field pick-up units STL equipment, VHF set, TV modulator and demodulator, video projection systems and video switching system. HS Code: 8525, 8529
PAKISTAN
Since April 1950, as amended in April 2016
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950
Import Policy Order 2020
Import Policy Order 2020
According to the Import Policy Order of 2016 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, no goods shall be exported to India, except therapeutic products regulated by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.
Coverage Horizontal
PAKISTAN
Since April 1950, as amended in April 2016
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950
Import Policy Order 2020
Import Policy Order 2020
According to the Import Policy Order 2016 issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, Pakistan has banned the import of Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) 6.0 phone and discs, tapes from all countries.
Coverage Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) 6.0 phone
PAKISTAN
Reported in 2015
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Ban of internet and messaging services
It is reported that Pakistan has banned BlackBerry’s enterprise server and its internet and messaging services “for security reasons” in a crackdown on privacy. National telecom carriers were ordered to cease offering services that route email through BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) starting from December 2015. One of the services of BES is email encryption, which prevents tracking of the origin and messages sent through it. Security concerns and lack of Pakistan's capabilities for decryption have been cited as the reason behind the decision.
Coverage BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES)
PAKISTAN
Since 2015
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Strategic Trade Policy Framework, 2015-18
According to the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (2015-2018), in order to avoid the misuse of 3D printers, they can only be allowed for import with prior permission from the Ministry of Interior.
Coverage 3D Printers
PAKISTAN
Since March 2002, last amended in April 2007
Pillar Content access |
Sub-pillar Restrictions on online advertising
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2002
According to Art. 27 of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance, advertisement is prohibited when it is considered to distort historical facts, traditions of Pakistan or the person or personality of a national leader or a state dignitary; to glorify non-Islamic values; to be directed against the sanctity of home, family, and marriage; to contain indecent, vulgar, or offensive themes or treatment; or contains material that is repugnant to the ideology of Pakistan or Islamic values. Moreover, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has prohibited the broadcast of advertisements produced in India or featuring Indian actors and characters. It is reported that, the ban on the airing of Indian ads remains in place till the time the advertisement is replaced by those produced in Pakistan and featuring Pakistani actors and talent.
Coverage Online advertising
Sources
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1499677
- https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/pakistan-bans-advertisements-featuring-indian-artists/70700064
- https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=0f1fdcbe-5ec6-4742-9386-62f0ca6fa976
- https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/pk/pk087en.pdf
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