Zero-rated Websites Pakistan ((link)) Jun 2026

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers must treat all data on the internet equally, without discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, or platform. Zero-rating fundamentally violates this principle. By making certain websites free, MNOs subtly steer user behavior. A user is highly unlikely to try a local, independent Pakistani news website or blog if Facebook or a specific corporate partner's site is free. 2. Stifling Local Innovation and Competition

While specific offers change frequently, the following categories and platforms have historically been zero-rated by various Pakistani networks: zero-rated websites pakistan

The arrival of Facebook’s Internet.org (later renamed Free Basics) in June 2015 marked a turning point in Pakistan’s zero-rating landscape. Facebook partnered with Telenor to launch the service, which offered free access to a curated selection of 16 websites and services, including basic weather, health information, job listings, and—centrally—Facebook itself. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service

To maximize the benefits of zero-rating while mitigating its risks, policy experts suggest that Pakistan should implement a "blind zero-rating" model. Under this framework, entire categories of traffic—such as all government web domains (.gov.pk) or all registered educational portals—are made free, rather than picking individual commercial winners and losers. A user is highly unlikely to try a

Often provides zero-rated access to specific educational platforms and essential services.