Meta glasses in Pakistan: LHC asks PTA and govt to reply by 8 October on ban plea

Meta glasses in Pakistan are now before the Lahore High Court. On Monday 28 September 2026 Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued notices to the federal government, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the commerce ministry and other authorities on a petition that wants camera-fitted smart glasses such as Ray-Ban Meta kept out of the country. The respondents must file their replies by 8 October.

Nothing is banned yet. The glasses remain on sale from online shops and importers, and anyone who already owns a pair can keep using them. What changes is that the government now has to say, in court, whether it thinks these devices need rules.

What the petition asks for

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.

What it means if you want to buy a pair

• Before 8 October: nothing has changed. Smart glasses are sold through local online stores, importers and marketplaces.
• Risk to watch: the court can issue interim orders once it hears the replies. A halt to customs clearance would hit new stock first, which is why some sellers may raise prices or run out.
• Warranty: grey imports are usually covered only by the shop, not the maker. Keep your invoice.
• Mobile tax: smart glasses pair with a phone and do not carry their own SIM, so the PTA's phone registration tax does not apply to them. If you are importing a phone at the same time, check that cost on our PTA mobile tax calculator.

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

The replies are due on 8 October, when the court will decide whether to hear the case at length or issue interim directions. We will update this page after the hearing.