Barrister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir Appointed Chairman of Social Media Regulatory Authority; Previously Served as Punjab Minister Under Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi

*ISLAMABAD (3D Media):* The federal government has appointed Barrister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir as Chairman of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) for a five-year term. An official notification announcing his appointment has been issued.

According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control on October 30, 2026, Nasir’s appointment has been made under Section 2D of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Barrister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir previously served as a provincial minister in Punjab’s caretaker cabinet headed by Mohsin Naqvi in January 2023. During his tenure, he was assigned responsibilities for several departments, including housing, urban development, Auqaf and Religious Affairs, and Zakat and Ushr.

He has also held several administrative and development-related positions in Punjab. He previously served as chairman of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority.

The Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority was established under amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act in 2025. The authority is mandated to regulate social media platforms operating in Pakistan, oversee their registration, address user complaints and take action against unlawful online content.

It is also empowered to issue directions to social media platforms to ensure compliance with applicable laws and initiate regulatory action in cases of violations.

Nasir’s five-year appointment is being viewed as a significant development in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework governing social media platforms and digital content.