Alisha Tahir (Faisalabad College of Law) and Ishtiaq Ahmed (Faisalabad College of Law; University of Toulouse) recently published, Why Pakistan Urgently Needs Digital Will Legislation in the AI Era: Insights from the United Kingdom, 2025. Provided below is an Abstract:
The growing use of the internet and artificial intelligence has made it increasingly difficult to manage a person’s data after death. Pakistan still has no clear rules to guide families, regulate technology companies, or prevent the misuse of a deceased individual’s online information. This study reviews reliable sources and compares Pakistan’s laws with those of the United Kingdom to identify the gaps. Digital assets are not recognised in inheritance laws, families do not have a defined legal right to access online accounts, and AI companies may continue using personal data after death without restrictions.
The findings show that Pakistan needs legislation that recognises digital assets, allows individuals to appoint someone to manage their online accounts, protects post-mortem data rights, and restricts the use of a deceased person’s digital likeness by AI systems without consent. Such reforms would protect personal dignity and help Pakistan align with international developments.