Digital Privacy Laws in Pakistan

Question

With the new Personal Data Protection Bill being discussed, what are the implications for businesses operating in Pakistan? Specifically, what compliance measures should tech companies implement to avoid penalties under the proposed legislation?

Legal Expert · Accepted Answer

The Personal Data Protection Bill is quite similar to GDPR in its approach. Businesses should start by appointing a Data Protection Officer and conducting a data audit to identify all personal data being processed. The bill requires explicit consent for data collection and processing, with special protections for sensitive data like religious beliefs and biometric information.

Legal Expert · Answer

One key difference from international standards is the data localization requirement. The bill mandates that critical personal data must be stored and processed only on servers physically located within Pakistan. Tech companies will need to invest in local infrastructure or partner with local data centers to comply with this provision.

Legal Expert · Answer

You're right about the GDPR similarities. It's also worth noting that penalties can be up to 2% of global turnover, which is substantial. Companies should prioritize creating clear data retention policies and implement technical measures like encryption and access controls. The law is expected to come into force within 6 months of passing, so preparation should begin immediately.

Legal Expert · Answer

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Mashif Mehboob · Answer

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Digital Privacy Laws in Pakistan

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