The Government of Pakistan has formally activated the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The Ministry of Interior issued a notification confirming the appointment of the authority’s chairman and five members, marking the start of its operations.
Senior lawyer Ayyaz Shaukat has been appointed as the first chairman of SMPRA for a five-year term. He currently serves as Advocate General of Islamabad and is expected to assume office after the upcoming Eid holidays. The notification states that all appointments are valid for five years in line with the Act.
Five members have also been appointed to the authority, including senior journalists Sohail Iqbal Bhatti, Adnan Khan, Muhammad Salman Zafar, Fahad Malik, and Saad Ali. The Ministry of Interior confirmed these appointments through its official notification.
Under its mandate, SMPRA has the authority to address complaints related to false or misleading information shared on social media platforms. Individuals affected by such content can file complaints directly with the authority, which is required to issue orders within 24 hours of receiving a report.
The authority is also empowered to block content considered harmful or misleading, strengthening regulatory oversight of online platforms across Pakistan.
