Virtual Reality and Its Potential Societal Impacts in Pakistan

Name: Sofia Ahmad

Reg No: 247-FSL/LLB5Y/S21

1. Virtual Reality on learning outcomes (Education) in Pakistan

Virtual Reality is playing a drastic role in transforming education worldwide, and Pakistan is
recently beginning to see its potential.

 Understanding Virtual Reality in Education

VR is an immersive technology that can take learning experience to another level for
students. This technology allows students to interact with 3D worlds, making learning more
engaging and interactive.1

 Practical Application of VR in Pakistani Education

Virtual reality (VR) offers a wide range of practical applications that can significantly
enhance the educational experience in Pakistan.
o Virtual Field Trips: VR can transport students to distant locations, allowing them to
virtually visit historical sites, cultural landmarks and natural wonders of the world.
o Scientific Simulations: VR can help students conduct scientific experiments and
simulations. For example, students can explore the human anatomy in 3D manipulate
molecules in chemistry or simulate the effects of environmental changes on
ecosystems.2
o Language Learning: Students can be immersed in virtual environments where they
can practice language speaking and fluency with native speakers or real-life
conversations.

1
[Link] | Article- The Impact of Virtual Reality on Learning outcomes in Pakistan,
Author: Muhammad Bilal, Published on: March 27, 2025
2
Journal of Positive School Psychology | Harnessing Interactive Media for Transformative education in
Pakistan: A case study of Virtual Reality Integration, Written by: Dr. Yasmeen Sultana Farooqui, Dr.
Muhammad Latif (Corresponding Author)), AbdulSattar Khokhar, Abdul Rahim, Dr. Taha Shabbir | 2023, Vol. 7,
No. 6, 165-179
2. Virtual Reality and its potential impact on the future of tourism in Pakistan
Through the vase potential of VR, it can be subjected to promoting tourism across the various
historic ad scenic sites of Pakistan. People from other countries can be shown an immersive
experience into the top tourist destination in Pakistan, which includes every important
location which they can look forward to visit. With VR, the user can literally “be there” and
imagine themselves there. Many people think of VR as computer generated imagery, which is
use in the gaming industry. However, VR includes 360-degree virtual reality, which is a
different type of virtual reality.

Virtual Reality applications in tourism can be use in the initial phases of customer buying
cycles. For example, the first step in developing a management plan is to understand the
visitor patterns. By utilizing 3D visualizations, companies can produce marketable
attractions.3

3. Virtual Reality: A source to improve Physical and Mental Well-being

Virtual reality (VR) is a recent development with potential for application in healthcare. It is
an interaction of human beings with the computer in a space that is functional and realistic
There is evidence that exercise gaming improves sensory and motor functions, strength,
balance coordination, reaction time and activity levels. It not only improves the physical
aspects but also has psychological benefits It enhances learning and cognition and helps
resolve depression in subjects with chronic illnesses. In pediatric age group, it may increase
learning abilities and problem-solving skills as well as act as a source of healthy physical
activity. In healthy adults VR is a reliable tool to develop and maintain fitness levels. It is
also beneficial for relieving everyday stresses and depressions.4

3
[Link]| Article- Impact of VR on future Tourism in Pakistan, Published on:
January 6, 2022
4
[Link] | Article: Virtual Reality: A Source to Improve Physical and Mental Wellbeing,
Written by Kiran Khushnood, Nasir Sultan, Malik Muhammad Ali Awan
 Ethical Dilemma of Virtual Reality

 Privacy in the Virtual Realm

VR platforms and applications collect an abundance of user data, including behavioral patterns,
preferences, and even physiological responses. These insights enable personalization and
improved user experiences but raise serious concerns about user privacy. A recent survey by
GlobalWebIndex reveals that 70% of VR users worry about the collection of personal data
while using virtual reality. A balance between personalization and preserving privacy rights is
essential to ensure user trust and confidence in this immersive technology.

 Safety and Content Moderation

As VR becomes more open and interactive, it introduces the risk of encountering inappropriate
and harmful content. A study conducted by Common Sense Media found that 53% of children
aged 8 to 12 have discovered violent or hateful content while using VR. To foster a positive
virtual community, developers must implement robust content moderation tools and guidelines to
protect users, especially the young and vulnerable, from harmful experiences.

 Intellectual Property Rights

In user-generated VR environments, the issue of ownership and intellectual property rights

becomes complex. Creators invest time and effort into crafting virtual experiences, and they
should retain control and ownership over their content. The Virtual Reality Developers
Conference (VRDC) reported that 35% of VR developers were concerned about
intellectual property infringement.5

5
Insightful Technologies | Article: The Ethical Dilemmas of Virtual Reality: Navigating the
Digital Frontier, Published on: August 08, 2023
 Intellectual Property Challenges in a Virtual World

The metaverse—the concept of a shared, immersive virtual environment created by the

integration of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, and the internet is no
longer a futuristic fantasy. Instead, it is quickly becoming a vibrant and transformative digital
frontier. However, such transformative potential poses a lot of legal challenges in the area of
intellectual property law.

 The Rise of Virtual Goods and Digital Trademarks

Virtual goods which are intangible assets that exist only in the digital world have a billion-
dollar potential in the current economic market. Examples include digital wearables and
accessories, weapons, art, and even virtual real estate-all of which aim to enhance the user
experience within virtual environments. However, this rise of virtual goods has introduced
significant new legal challenges, particularly in intellectual property law. Luxury fashion
brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton have entered ventures to create branded virtual
goods for metaverse platforms. However, their trademarks are increasingly being used by
third parties to create and sell counterfeit virtual products without authorization.

A notable example is Nike’s lawsuit against StockX in early 2022. StockX, an online
marketplace, sold linked NFTs that represented pictures of Nike sneakers over the internet. A
high-profile, controversial legal dispute developed over virtual images of a real product to
ascertain whether that type of reproduction is an infringement of trademark rights. Nike,
therefore, presented a case wherein such unauthorized digital merchandise diluted brand
value and misled customers, for the products seemed like products officially endorsed by
Nike.6

 Enforcement of IP Rights in a Borderless Digital Space

The IP Enforcement in the metaverse has its own challenges, the first being the borderless
nature of digital space. The anonymity offered by blockchain-based platforms makes
enforcement much harder. Often, IP owners can't find the infringements made or even bring
legal action against individuals who work under pseudonyms or multiple platforms.

6
[Link] | Article: The Metaverse: Intellectual Property Challenges in a Virtual
World, written by: Ananya Khandare, Published on: March 26, 2025
 Secondly, the fragmented legal frameworks also play a major role. IP laws differ
significantly across jurisdictions, and the lack of harmonization exacerbates enforcement
difficulties in the metaverse. For example, some countries allow digital trademarks and
copyright for virtual goods, while others have not updated their legal framework to account
for these emerging issues.

Regulating Virtual Reality (VR) Content in Pakistan: Policy Recommendations

As Virtual Reality (VR) technology gains traction in Pakistan, policymakers must establish a
regulatory framework that balances innovation, content protection, and ethical use. Given the
complex legal, social, and technological aspects of VR, a well-defined policy approach is
necessary.

1. Strengthening Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws

VR content, including virtual environments, 3D models, and digital assets, should be explicitly
covered under Pakistan’s existing copyright and intellectual property laws. The Copyright
Ordinance, 1962, should be amended to:

 Recognize VR content as a distinct category of intellectual property.

 Introduce penalties for unauthorized reproduction or distribution of VR-based works.
 Establish mechanisms for digital rights management (DRM) to prevent piracy and
unauthorized use.

2. Implementing Content Classification and Moderation Standards

VR presents new challenges in content regulation, including concerns about violence, obscenity,
and misinformation. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)should:

 Develop a content rating system for VR experiences, similar to film and video game
classifications.
 Mandate age restrictions on immersive VR experiences with sensitive themes.7
7
[Link]| Article: The Metaverse opens a world of possibilities for Pakistan. Can we take
advantage, Written by Hassan Baig, Published on: September 06, 2022
 Require VR platforms to use AI-driven content moderation to flag illegal or harmful
content.

3. Regulating Privacy and Data Protection in VR Spaces

VR applications collect extensive user data, including movement patterns, voice inputs, and
biometric information. Pakistan must strengthen data protection laws by:

 Aligning regulations with the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2021, ensuring VR users’
privacy is safeguarded.
 Mandating explicit user consent for data collection in VR environments.
 Requiring VR companies to store sensitive user data within Pakistan to prevent
unauthorized access.

4. Addressing Virtual Crimes and User Safety

As VR allows real-time interactions, policymakers must define legal consequences

for cyberbullying, virtual harassment, and fraudulent transactions. This can be achieved by:

 Expanding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to include VR-
related offenses.
 Establishing VR ethics guidelines to hold platform operators accountable for user safety.
 Encouraging law enforcement training to investigate and prosecute crimes occurring in
VR spaces.

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