PDMF and Cepal & Co. sign groundbreaking MoU to empower Pak Digital Profession

KARACHI: — In a landmark step toward building a safer, more legally informed digital media ecosystem, the Pakistan Digital Media Forum (PDMF) and the renowned law firm Cepal & Co. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Karachi. The agreement marks a new era of collaboration between legal and media professionals in Pakistan, aiming to equip journalists, content creators, and digital practitioners with essential legal knowledge and support.
The MoU was signed by Rehan Hyder, Deputy Secretary and Head of Training & Development at PDMF and Hafsa Khalid, Associate at Cepal & Co., with Kamran Chouhan and Adv Rashid Mureed serving as official witnesses.
Under the agreement, Cepal & Co. will offer legal consultations, review training content for legal compliance, and provide expert legal speakers for PDMF-led seminars and workshops. The firm will also assist with developing policy briefs, content regulation frameworks, intellectual property guidance, and strategic legal advisories tailored for the digital media sector.
“This MoU is not just a formal step—it’s the beginning of something transformative,” said Kamran Chouhan, Founder and President of PDMF. “Right now in Pakistan, digital laws are still in process, so it is crucial to raise awareness about them. Through this partnership, PDMF is initiating new and diverse activities to educate content creators, journalists, and digital professionals about their legal rights and responsibilities, particularly under the PECA Act.”
He added that upcoming activities will include targeted events, seminars, and dialogues in collaboration with press clubs, unions of journalists, media associations, and professional bodies nationwide. “We want to build a culture where digital creators are not just skilled—but also informed, ethical, and empowered,” Chouhan emphasized.
Adv Rashid Mureed, Managing Partner and Head of Cepal & Co., praised the initiative, stating, “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Kamran Chouhan and the forward-thinking vision of PDMF. This is a much-needed step for Pakistan’s digital space. Cepal & Co. stands firmly with the digital community and is committed to offering comprehensive legal assistance, expert opinions, and strategic counsel on matters ranging from cyber laws to media licensing, privacy policies, and content regulation.”
He added, “Our legal team is ready to support PDMF in ensuring that digital professionals operate within the bounds of law—without fear, confusion, or vulnerability. Together, we’re fostering a legally sound, transparent, and resilient digital media environment.”
The MoU sets out a roadmap for ongoing collaboration between the two organizations.
As Pakistan’s digital landscape continues to expand rapidly, the partnership between PDMF and Cepal & Co. is a timely and strategic response to the growing need for legal literacy, ethical practices, and support structures for those shaping narratives online.