Meta glasses in Pakistan: ECC approves import restrictions on camera smart glasses

Camera smart glasses such as Ray-Ban Meta face an import ban in Pakistan. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet on Wednesday 4 November 2026 approved restrictions on the import of camera-enabled smart glasses, citing concerns about their use in workplaces, ProPakistani reported. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division.

The ECC also recommended that the provinces and the Islamabad Capital Territory draw up workplace rules for the use of such devices.

What changes now (updated 5 November 2026)

• New imports: the ECC decision targets imports. Shipments will face the restrictions once the government notifies them, usually through an amendment to the import policy order. The exact wording, including whether it is a full ban or a licence regime, has not yet been published.
• Glasses already in Pakistan: the ECC decision says nothing about owning or using a pair you already have. Shops selling existing stock are likely to run down or raise prices.
• Workplaces: expect offices, provincial departments and courts to add rules. Many already ban recording on their premises.
• Warranty: grey imports are usually covered only by the seller, not the maker. Keep your invoice.

Smart glasses pair with a phone and carry no SIM, so the PTA's phone registration tax does not apply to them. If you are bringing a phone into the country at the same time, check that cost on our PTA mobile tax calculator.

The Lahore High Court petition

Separately, on 28 September 2026 Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued notices to the federal government, the PTA, the commerce ministry and other authorities on a petition seeking to keep camera glasses out of the country, with replies due by 8 October, Dawn reported.

The public interest petition was filed by Husnainul Abideen through advocate Shahram Saqi. It argues that glasses which look like ordinary eyewear but can photograph, record and live-stream anyone in the wearer's view breach Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution, which protect liberty, dignity and the privacy of the home.

The petitioner asked the court to:

1. Declare the unrestricted use of camera and microphone glasses incompatible with those constitutional protections.
2. Stop further imports and halt customs clearance of consignments.
3. Direct the PTA to review any approvals it has given for such devices.
4. Bar the glasses from courts, airports and government offices.
5. Make the cybercrime authorities disclose complaints they have received about them.

Counsel pointed to concerns raised by regulators in Ireland, Italy and Germany, and to bans on the glasses in courts in England and Wales and in New York.

Where you can already get into trouble

Even without a new rule, recording someone without consent is not a free-for-all. Posting intimate or harassing recordings can fall under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, and many offices, courts and airports already ban recording on their premises. Wearing camera glasses into those places is where problems start.

What happens next

We will add the notified import order when the commerce ministry or FBR Customs publishes it, and the Lahore High Court's next order on the petition.