Pakistan, May 19 -- Despite increasing digital engagement in Pakistan, nearly two-thirds of the country's political parties lack a fully functional website, reveals a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Titled "Assessing Web Presence of Political Parties in Pakistan", the report finds that only 35 percent or 58 out of 166 registered political parties maintain fully or partially operational websites. Even among the 20 parties currently represented in the Federal Parliament and/or Provincial Assemblies, just 14 (70 percent) have functional websites.

This web presence is a prerequisite for compliance within the overall purview of Section 208(4) of the Elections Act, 2017, which mandates political parties to publish updated...