The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken a noteworthy step towards modernising the province’s media and advertising landscape by introducing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The amendments, recently tabled and accepted in the Provincial Assembly, are aimed at aligning media laws with the evolving dynamics of digital platforms, outdoor advertising, and new modes of public communication.
According to the Secretary Information & Public Relations, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Muhammad Bakhtiar Khan, the new legislation reflects the government’s vision to ensure transparency in the dissemination of public information, broaden the scope of recognised media platforms, and create opportunities in emerging advertising sectors.
He said that under the amendments, key definitions have been expanded to formally recognise entities such as digital advertising agencies, outdoor advertising firms, cable television operators, and social media influencers. For the first time, terms like social media, digital advertising, and social media influencers have been legally defined, bringing online platforms and content creators within the formal regulatory framework.
A major feature of the new law is the clear categorisation of government advertisements. Classified ads – such as tender notices, recruitment announcements, and statutory notifications – have been distinguished from promotional and campaign advertisements that highlight reforms, development initiatives, and public service messages. These can now be disseminated not only through traditional print and electronic channels but also via outdoor campaigns and digital platforms, significantly expanding public outreach.
The role of the Information & Public Relations Department has also been strengthened, reaffirming it as the central authority for the registration of advertising agencies, including digital and outdoor firms, he said.
This move is expected to streamline processes, enhance accountability, and promote fair competition among registered agencies.
Flexibility has also been introduced for publishers, as the law now allows the transfer of newspaper declarations after a period of ten years, subject to the fulfilment of prescribed requirements. This provision offers long-standing publishers an exit option while ensuring continuity of publication standards. Additionally, obsolete provisions such as Section 22 of the 2013 Act have been removed to make the law more concise and practical.
The government expects the amendments to have wide-ranging positive impacts. By formally including digital and outdoor advertising, the legal framework has been modernised in line with global practices. Mandatory registration of agencies and influencers is likely to bring transparency in the utilisation of government advertising funds, while recognition of digital platforms is expected to create new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for youth engaged in content creation.
With access to diverse communication platforms – print, electronic, outdoor, and digital – the government will now be able to deliver reforms, development achievements, and public service messages to wider audiences more effectively.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment) Act, 2025, thus marks a progressive step towards integrating traditional and modern media under one unified framework. By doing so, the provincial government has not only safeguarded the interests of stakeholders but also paved the way for a transparent, accountable, and vibrant media environment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
