Pakistan lacks a unified mechanism for the public to report harmful or unlawful social media content, revealed Ikram Barkat, the Director General of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

An event titled “Measuring the Social and Economic Impact of Digital Media: Evidence for Policy,”  at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Barkat highlighted the fragmented regulatory landscape, where responsibilities are divided among various bodies including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Ministry of IT and Telecom, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Speaking at the event, Barkat expressed concern over the absence of a dedicated agency to monitor and address complaints related to social media, adding that the general public is mostly unaware of how to pursue complaints against digital media violations.

He noted that Pakistanis spent over $689 million on digital media in 2024, including approximately $27 million on music and $158 million on video games. The spending continued to rise in 2025, with $392 million expended on video-on-demand services, a significant portion of which involved adult content.

The PEMRA Director General also highlighted the detrimental effects of social media on mental health, particularly among the youth. The excessive use of digital media led to economic and social consequences, including mental health issues stemming from lack of sleep and the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the political realm.

Barkat emphasised the urgency of implementing Pakistan’s AI policy to mitigate potential risks and promote the safe and progressive use of technology.

Retired Brigadier Raashid Janjua reflected on the transformative effect of social media on youth learning patterns, noting that in the modern age, information is becoming more significant than traditional knowledge.