PKNIC just made your digital presence more expensive. On October 1, 2025, domain prices jumped from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800, a 13% increase that caught Pakistani businesses off guard.
That Rs 200 might not sound like much. But managing multiple domains? Those numbers add up fast. Ten domains cost you Rs 2,000 extra annually.
Domain prices rarely go down. They climb, slowly but surely. Let’s talk about protecting your business from future increases.
Understanding the PKNIC Price Hike
The Pakistan Network Information Centre (PKNIC) doesn’t raise prices on a whim. They’re the official registry managing all .pk domains in Pakistan, and their October announcement came with specific justifications.
The math is straightforward. Rs 1,600 became Rs 1,800 overnight.
That’s a 12.5% increase, though most people round it to 13%. Either way, it’s the biggest jump we’ve seen in recent years.

Which Domains Got Hit?
All PKNIC-managed extensions felt the impact. Whether you’re registering a .com.pk, .net.pk, .org.pk, or the base .pk domain, the new pricing applies across the board.
Commercial entities using .com.pk? You’re affected. Tech companies on .net.pk? Same boat. Even educational institutions noticed the change ripple through their renewal costs.
Why PKNIC Made This Move
Infrastructure doesn’t maintain itself. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, our country’s digital infrastructure needs constant upgrades to handle growing internet penetration.
PKNIC cited three main reasons:
- Enhanced security protocols to combat cyber threats
- Server infrastructure modernization across Pakistan
- Improved registry services and customer support systems
Think of it like road maintenance. Nobody loves paying toll taxes, but everyone appreciates smooth highways. Domain infrastructure works the same way, investment today means better service tomorrow.
The regional context matters too. India’s .in domains and Bangladesh’s .bd domains have undergone similar adjustments. Pakistan’s pricing now aligns more closely with neighboring markets, though we’re still competitive compared to premium international extensions.
How This 13% Increase Actually Impacts Your Business
Let’s get practical. Numbers on a screen don’t mean much until you translate them into real business costs.
A single domain owner? You’re paying Rs 200 more per year. Annoying, sure, but manageable.
But most businesses don’t stop at one domain. You’ve got your main site, maybe a campaign-specific domain, brand protection variations, regional spellings. The costs multiply quickly.
Breaking Down the Real Costs
Here’s what different business sizes are looking at:
Business Type | Domains Owned | Old Annual Cost | New Annual Cost | Extra Expense |
---|---|---|---|---|
Startup | 1-3 domains | Rs 4,800 | Rs 5,400 | Rs 600 |
SME | 5-10 domains | Rs 16,000 | Rs 18,000 | Rs 2,000 |
Enterprise | 20+ domains | Rs 32,000+ | Rs 36,000+ | Rs 4,000+ |
Digital agencies managing client portfolios? They’re feeling this even harder. Imagine handling 50 domains and suddenly needing to explain an extra Rs 10,000 in annual costs to your finance team.
The Renewal Reality Nobody Talks About
Here’s something most people miss. This isn’t just about new registrations.
Renewals follow the same pricing structure. That domain you registered three years ago at the old rate? When it comes up for renewal, you’re paying Rs 1,800.
And if you’re like most business owners, you’ve probably got domains renewing at different times throughout the year. Each renewal is now hitting your budget 13% harder than you planned.
Why Pakistani Businesses Still Can’t Ignore .pk Domains
You might be thinking: “Why not just stick with a .com and avoid this whole mess?”
Fair question. Let me explain why that’s risky.
i) Trust Works Differently in Pakistan
Pakistani consumers trust local domains. It’s just how our market works. When someone sees a .pk extension, there’s an immediate assumption of local presence, local accountability, local service.
Research from the Internet Society shows that country-code top-level domains significantly boost consumer confidence in developing markets. Pakistan fits that pattern perfectly.
A Karachi-based retailer with a .com domain? Shoppers wonder if you’re actually local. The same business with a .com.pk domain instantly communicates: “We’re here, we’re Pakistani, we understand your needs.”
ii) SEO Benefits You Can’t Buy Elsewhere
Google.pk treats .pk domains differently. It’s not favoritism, it’s localization.
When someone in Islamabad searches for, graphic design services, Google’s algorithm gives preference to .pk domains over generic .com extensions. The search engine assumes that local domains offer more relevant results for local queries.
This matters more than you’d think. Rankings on page one versus page three? That’s the difference between steady business and struggling for visibility.
Government contracts and official partnerships often require .pk domains too. I’ve seen businesses lose tender opportunities simply because their digital presence didn’t include a Pakistani domain extension.

What the Price History Tells Us About Future Costs
PKNIC doesn’t publish detailed historical pricing data publicly. But if you’ve been in Pakistani digital space long enough, you remember when domains were even cheaper.
Five years ago, .pk domains cost significantly less. The climb has been gradual but consistent.
Comparing Regional Pricing Trends
Pakistan isn’t alone in this. Domain registries worldwide face similar pressures. Server costs rise. Security requirements get stricter. Customer expectations increase.
India’s .in domains have seen multiple price adjustments since 2020. Bangladesh’s .bd domains followed a similar trajectory. Sri Lanka’s .lk pricing has climbed steadily too.
The pattern is clear. Country-code domains in developing Asian markets are normalizing to higher price points. Pakistan’s Rs 1,800 actually remains competitive compared to adjusted regional averages.
But here’s what worries me. The gap between adjustments is shrinking. Where we once saw 3-4 years between price changes, we might start seeing 18-24 month cycles instead.
Domains as Digital Real Estate
Think about physical property for a second. Nobody who bought land in Bahria Town ten years ago regrets that decision today, even if it felt expensive at the time.
Domains work similarly. The good names get scarcer. Prices trend upward. Early acquisition pays off.
I’m not suggesting domains appreciate at real estate rates. But protecting your brand namespace now, before PKNIC’s next adjustment, makes financial sense.
Why Truehost Pakistan Should Be Your Domain Partner
Look, I could list a dozen domain registrars operating in Pakistan. Most do the job adequately.
But Truehost stands out for specific reasons that matter when you’re building serious online presence.
1) Transparent Pricing Without Hidden Surprises
You know what’s frustrating? Registrars who advertise low domain costs, then hit you with expensive add-ons during checkout.
Truehost.pk operates differently. The price you see is the price you pay. Register your .pk domain and you’ll notice—no mysterious fees appearing in your cart, no forced upsells, no fine print surprises.
They include DNS management free. Privacy protection is available without markup. The platform is straightforward because they want long-term customers, not one-time transactions.
2) 24/7 Support That Actually Understands Pakistan
Ever tried explaining a technical issue to support staff reading from scripts? It’s maddening.
Truehost employs Pakistani support teams who understand our business environment. They know what PKNIC requires. They’re familiar with local payment systems. They work 24/7 to ensure you get assistance any time.
This matters more during emergencies than during smooth operations. When your domain configuration breaks at 2 AM before a product launch, you need someone who can help immediately, not a ticket system promising 48-hour response times.
3) Integration That Makes Business Sense
Domains don’t exist in isolation. You need hosting. You probably need SSL certificates. Maybe email hosting. Definitely DNS management.
Truehost packages these services logically. Their domain registration integrates seamlessly with hosting plans, meaning fewer vendors to manage, fewer payment cycles to track, fewer technical incompatibilities to troubleshoot.
For agencies managing multiple client sites, this integration saves hours monthly. For individual business owners, it simply means fewer headaches.
Your Action Plan
Alright, enough theory. Let’s talk practical steps you can take this week.
Immediate Moves to Make
I) Audit your domain needs. List every domain your business actually requires. Your main brand, common misspellings, regional variations, campaign-specific names. Write them all down.
II) Check availability at Truehost’s domain search. Don’t assume the names you want are still open. Good domains disappear fast, especially after price increases when people rush to register.
III) Register now. Seriously. Every week you wait is another week closer to the next potential PKNIC price adjustment. Lock in current rates while you can.
IV) Consider multi-year registration. Most registrars (Truehost included) offer discounts for 2-3 year terms. You’re protecting yourself against future increases while potentially saving money upfront.
V) Secure brand variations. If you own , yourbrand.com.pk, maybe grab yourbrand.pk and yourbrand.net.pk too. Brand protection gets more expensive the longer you wait.
Long-Term Domain Strategy
Smart businesses treat domains as strategic assets, not afterthoughts. Set up renewal reminders six months before expiration. This gives you budget planning time and prevents panic renewals.
Document your domain portfolio. Which domains point where? When do they renew? What’s each domain’s purpose? This sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many businesses lose track once they hit 10+ domains.
Review your portfolio annually. Some domains you registered with great intentions might no longer serve any purpose. Don’t renew domains you’re not actually using—reallocate that budget to domains that matter.
Understanding Different .pk Extensions for Your Business
PKNIC offers several extension options. Each serves different purposes, and choosing wrong can confuse your audience or limit your opportunities.
The Main Players
.com.pk remains most popular for commercial entities. It’s what people expect for businesses, online stores, service providers. If you’re making money, this is probably your extension.
.net.pk traditionally served tech companies and internet service providers. Though these days, the boundaries blur. Many tech startups use .com.pk instead, and that’s fine.
.org.pk suits non-profits, NGOs, and community organizations. Pakistani donors and volunteers recognize this extension as indicating non-commercial operations.
.edu.pk is restricted to educational institutions. You can’t register these unless you meet PKNIC’s educational criteria, verified through official documentation.
The base .pk domain has opened up in recent years. It’s shorter, cleaner, and increasingly popular with startups wanting that modern minimalist vibe.
Matching Extension to Business Model
Your extension signals something about your business. An e-commerce store using .org.pk looks odd. A charity using .com.pk might confuse potential donors about whether you’re actually non-profit.
When in doubt, .com.pk is the safe choice. It’s universally understood, commercially appropriate, and carries no negative connotations.
But don’t overthink this. The domain name itself matters more than the extension for most purposes. “GreatBrand.pk” beats “MediocreNameThatMakesNoSense.com.pk” every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About PKNIC Price Changes
When exactly did prices increase?
October 1, 2025. Any domain registered or renewed from that date forward follows the new Rs 1,800 pricing.
Do renewals cost more too?
Yes. Whether you’re registering new or renewing existing, the Rs 1,800 rate applies across the board after October 1.
Can I transfer my domain to avoid higher prices?
Transfers don’t bypass PKNIC pricing. All registrars pay PKNIC the same registry fee, which forms the base of what you pay. You might find registrars with lower markups, but the core cost remains Rs 1,800.
Are premium domains affected?
Premium domains (short names, common words, high-value combinations) already cost more than standard domains. The PKNIC price increase applies to their base cost too, though premium markups vary by registrar and specific domain.
Will prices increase again soon?
Nobody knows for certain. PKNIC doesn’t announce future pricing plans. Based on regional trends and infrastructure costs, another adjustment within 2-3 years seems possible.
How does Truehost’s pricing compare?
Truehost maintains competitive pricing with transparent costs. Check their current rates directly—prices can vary based on promotions and package deals.
What payment methods work?
Most Pakistani registrars (including Truehost) accept local bank transfers, JazzCash, Easypaisa, and credit/debit cards. International payment options exist but may carry conversion fees.
Do bulk registrations get discounts?
Many registrars offer volume pricing. If you’re registering 10+ domains, contact sales directly. Published prices typically reflect single-domain rates.
What This Means for Your Competitive Position
Here’s something interesting. Most businesses procrastinate on domain registration. They talk about “getting online” for months before actually doing it.
The price increase creates an opportunity. While competitors delay and debate, you can secure your digital namespace now. When they finally move, they’ll pay more and find fewer quality names available.
First-mover advantage isn’t just about being earliest. It’s about acting while others hesitate.
Taking Control of Your Digital Future
Look, Rs 200 or even Rs 2,000 won’t make or break your business. But the principle matters.
Your domain name is your digital address. It’s how customers find you, how Google ranks you, how partners evaluate your legitimacy. Getting this right early saves headaches later.
The PKNIC price increase is actually a reminder. It’s easy to treat domains as afterthoughts—something to handle “eventually.” But eventually keeps getting more expensive.
Register your .pk domain now at Truehost PK. Lock in current rates. Secure your brand. Build your Pakistani digital presence on solid foundations.
Because the next price adjustment? That’s coming too. The only question is whether you’ll already be protected when it arrives.