About .pk domain
.pk is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to Pakistan, delegated on June 3, 1992. It is administered exclusively by PKNIC, a non-profit, non-statutory, member-based corporation that is the only organisation endorsed by the Government of Pakistan to manage .pk domain names. PKNIC does not sell domains directly to end users; registrations are handled through PKNIC-accredited registrars. The extension supports both direct second-level registrations (e.g., yourbrand.pk) and a structured set of third-level domains under purpose-specific second-level labels such as .com.pk, .org.pk, and .edu.pk.
Who can register .pk domain
.pk is an open-use ccTLD, meaning anyone — Pakistani nationals or international individuals and organisations — can register a domain directly under .pk with no country presence required. However, certain second-level domains carry stricter eligibility rules:
- .pk — Open to anyone, local or overseas
- .com.pk — Commercial entities registered in Pakistan
- .org.pk — Non-profit organisations
- .net.pk — Network service providers
- .edu.pk — Accredited educational institutes recognised by Pakistan's Higher Education Commission
- .ac.pk — Educational and academic services (accreditation not required)
- .gov.pk — Federal ministries of the Government of Pakistan
- .mil.pk — Pakistan military organisations
- .fam.pk — Families and individuals
- .biz.pk — General business and promotional use
- .web.pk — Individual websites
Pakistani nationals registering through a PKNIC-accredited registrar will typically need to provide a NADRA ID, while international applicants may be required to supply additional identity verification documentation.
How to register .pk domain
Search for availability. Use the search tool provided by a PKNIC-accredited registrar to check whether your desired name is available. Keep in mind that domain names registered directly under .pk must be at least four characters long, cannot begin with a dash, and cannot start with a reserved second-level label such as "com", "net", or "gov".
Choose a registrar and review pricing. Compare PKNIC-accredited registrars for registration fees, renewal rates, and included features such as WHOIS privacy. Standard .pk domains are typically priced in the range of PKR 1,000–3,000 per year, though premium domains or specialised second-level domains may cost more.
Complete checkout and provide documentation. Create an account with your chosen registrar and complete the registration form. Pakistani nationals should have their NADRA ID ready; international applicants should be prepared to supply additional identity verification as required by the registrar.
Verify contact details and configure DNS. After registration, confirm that your WHOIS contact information is accurate and up to date. Then configure your DNS settings — such as nameservers or DNS records — to point your new domain to your website, email service, or other destination.
Typical uses of .pk domain
.pk is most commonly used by businesses, organisations, and individuals who want to establish a clear online presence connected to Pakistan. Local companies favour it over generic alternatives because it signals geographic relevance and builds trust with Pakistani audiences. Startups, e-commerce platforms, news outlets, educational institutions, and government bodies all make use of the structured second-level options — such as .com.pk for commercial ventures or .edu.pk for universities — while entrepreneurs and personal brands often opt for the shorter, more memorable direct .pk registration.
Tips for registering .pk domain
- Annual renewal cycle. .pk domains are renewed on a yearly basis, so be sure to track your expiry date and renew promptly to avoid losing your domain.
- Minimum name length for direct .pk registrations. Names registered directly under .pk must be at least four characters (excluding the .pk suffix), and cannot start with any reserved second-level label string such as "com", "net", or "org".
- Character restrictions. Domain names cannot begin with a dash and cannot contain two consecutive dashes ("--"), as these are reserved for IDN encodings. The maximum label length is 63 characters, with a total domain length not exceeding 70 characters.
- Premium domains. Some .pk domain names are classified as premium and carry higher registration and renewal fees than standard domains — confirm pricing before completing your purchase.
- Prohibited registrations. PKNIC will refuse to register a domain name that infringes on a registered trade name, violates applicable Pakistani law, or is otherwise deemed inappropriate under PKNIC's registration policy.