Critical Analysis of Internet Country Code Top-level Domain (ccTLD) of Pakistan

With the advent of new cyber dominated technologies and swift advancements in the IT field, substantial dependence on the internet is being observed. It acts as a nodal backbone of connectivity among a breed of IT based devices. In this connection, multifarious methods and techniques are being adapted. Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the most critical contours and holds a key position in the technological paraphernalia of the internet With the passage of time, the DNS administration has evolved in such a way that it has acquired a pivotal role in the overall administration and management of the global Internet. The aim of this research is to conduct critical analysis of the management and operation of the national registry of Pakistan; by carrying out an extensive literature review related to the historical perspective, administration, operation, and security aspects of country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD). Our analysis uncovered a range of security risks and concerns regarding Pakistan's ccTLD structure and management (.pk, IDN). It has underlined the designated managers' failure to fulfill their responsibilities in administering the registry operations, more specifically the vulnerabilities that arise due to the absence of governmental and technical controls. Moreover, this study has carried out a comparison with international models and recommended interim improvements to the current governance model and operations of Pakistan's ccTLDs.