Who can register a .gov.pk domain?
A .gov.pk domain is used primarily for the federal government of Pakistan. Provincial governments have their own zones, such as .gop.pk for Punjab and .gos.pk for Sindh. PKNIC keeps these names inactive until it verifies a signed letter from the head of the organisation, so businesses and individuals cannot simply buy one.
Who .gov.pk is for
PKNIC, the registry for .pk, says GOV.PK is used primarily for the federal government of Pakistan. Think ministries, divisions and federal bodies.
There is one narrow exception. A high-level provincial department that is unique in its province may get a .gov.pk name, if the province's name is prominent in the domain. PKNIC gives Punjab-Police.gov.pk as an example.
If you run a private company, a school, a charity or a freelance practice, this zone is not for you. A .pk, .com.pk or .com name is the right path, and our /pk-vs-com-pk-vs-com/ page explains how they differ.
Provincial and regional zones
Provincial and regional governments have separate zones. PKNIC lists these:
- GOP.PK for Punjab
- GOS.PK for Sindh
- GOB.PK for Balochistan
- GKP.PK for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- GOK.PK for Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- GOG for Gilgit-Baltistan, as PKNIC lists it. Confirm the exact address with PKNIC.
How a government body gets one
The name is applied for through PKNIC. The difference comes afterwards: a .gov.pk name stays inactive until PKNIC has checked the paperwork.
The organisation must send a letter of authorisation signed by its head or a properly delegated authority. It must be on the original official letterhead, with a CNIC copy of the person who signed. The documents go to PKNIC's collection office in Lahore.
Names already used by another organisation, or reserved for technical, ethical or national reasons, cannot be chosen. Once registered, a name cannot be changed.
Why we cannot sell or register one for you
We are a small Pakistani company, not a registry. We sell existing domains through our escrow marketplace and file new registrations in the customer's own name through PKNIC or a registrar. We are not affiliated with PKNIC.
A government zone depends on proof from the government body itself. We cannot supply that proof, so we do not list or register .gov.pk or provincial government names. If a seller offers you one, be very cautious.
Looking for a name for a business instead? Search at /domains/ or read /register-pk-domain/ for the normal .pk process.
Spotting a fake government website
Scammers copy government logos and send links by WhatsApp, SMS or email. A few checks help before you pay or share an ID number.
Read the address carefully. A genuine name ends exactly in .gov.pk or a provincial zone such as .gop.pk. Fakes often use look-alike endings or put a government word inside a .com or .com.pk name.
Be careful when a site asks for fees through a personal account, JazzCash or Easypaisa number. Type the address yourself or use a link from an official notice. If in doubt, phone the department on a number from an official source. Our /domain-name-rules/ page also explains how names are built.
Common questions
Can a private company get a .gov.pk domain?
No. PKNIC says GOV.PK is used primarily for the federal government and requires a signed letter from the head of the organisation. Private firms should use .pk, .com.pk or .com.
Which zone does the Punjab government use?
PKNIC lists GOP.PK for Punjab. Sindh uses GOS.PK, Balochistan GOB.PK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa GKP.PK and Azad Jammu and Kashmir GOK.PK.
Does SastiDomains sell .gov.pk names?
No. We do not sell or register government zones. They need verification by the government body, which we cannot provide.
Does a .gov.pk name work straight after registration?
No. PKNIC keeps these names inactive until the authorisation letter and CNIC copy have been verified.
Is a site with a government word in its name official?
Not necessarily. Check that the address ends in a genuine government zone, not just that it contains a government word.