Azfar Ali Nasir appointed chairperson of social media regulator SMPRA
The federal government has appointed Azfar Ali Nasir as chairperson of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority for five years. The interior ministry issued the notification, dated October 30, 2026.
- Azfar Ali Nasir named chairperson of SMPRA for five years
- Interior ministry notification is dated October 30, 2026
- He is a former minister in the Punjab caretaker government
The federal government has appointed Barrister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir as chairperson of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA). The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control issued a formal notification confirming the appointment for a term of five years.
The notification is dated October 30, 2026. According to 24 News, which cited the 24NewsHD TV channel, the ministry issued it on Saturday. Daily Pakistan reported that the appointment was made under Section 2D of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Nasir previously served as a minister in Punjab's caretaker administration, holding portfolios that covered religious affairs, housing and urban development. Daily Pakistan also reported that he has chaired the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab).
According to Daily Pakistan, the authority is empowered to oversee the registration and licensing of social media platforms and to set compliance guidelines. It can investigate complaints about unlawful online content and direct that material violating the regulations be removed or blocked.
The same report said SMPRA can impose penalties and take regulatory action, including restrictions on operations, against platforms that do not meet legal requirements. The body was established under the 2025 amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
Daily Pakistan reported that Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat was named as the authority's first chairman in March 2026.
The report added that journalists' organisations and human rights groups have raised concerns about possible restrictions on free speech and misuse of regulatory powers under the cybercrime laws. The government has defended stronger digital regulation as necessary to deal with misinformation and online harm.
Why it matters
The authority oversees rules for social media platforms and online content that affect users across Pakistan. Journalists' bodies and rights groups have raised concerns about its powers, while the government says stronger regulation is needed against misinformation and online harm.
