Meta, Netflix, Temu among top-earning apps as Pakistan’s digital spending surges

New "Digital Presence” Proceeds Levy Act, 2025 will charge 5% tax on vendors, local or foreign, such as Amazon, Facebook, Google and others

Business Desk - Jun 22, 2025

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stated that Pakistanis made over Rs 317 billion worth of payments for both international and local apps online during the fiscal year of 2024-25.

However, the information was published to the National Assembly Standing Committee of Finance and pertains to an array of major platforms, including Facebook, Google, Apple, Netflix, AliExpress, Daraz, and more.

Country to country and region to region, a rapid adaptation of digital channels has been witnessed for entertainment, shopping and services.

Daily life is now profoundly influenced by online tools. Pakistanis have access to digital goods and services more readily than ever, whether it be to buy a product on AliExpress, stream their favourite show on Netflix, pitch an ad on Facebook, and so much more.

In response to growing revenues originating solely online, the government has quickly produced new legislation, the “Digital Presence” Proceeds Levy Act, 2025. This new act will charge a 5% tax on vendors, local or foreign, such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Temu, Daraz and others, who provide digital goods and services in Pakistan.

Below is a breakdown of payments made using the most popular platforms:

Facebook/Meta