Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafeezur Rehman, informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs that the authority has the capability to block entire social media platforms but cannot remove specific content from websites. He noted that only the United States and Israel currently possess the technical infrastructure to block particular pieces of online content, emphasizing the limitations faced by regulators in Pakistan. The briefing was part of a session held to discuss government action against defamatory and offensive material online.
Rehman stated that while efforts are being made to regulate harmful content, the process remains complex due to the nature of digital platforms and differing legal frameworks. According to him, complaints can be filed by both government institutions and citizens, with about 80% of the defamatory or offensive content taken down through cooperation with social media companies. He added that a seven-member delegation from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is currently stationed at PTA’s office to enhance operational coordination and responsiveness.
He also highlighted the growing use of virtual private networks (VPNs) in Pakistan, pointing out that more than 40 VPN services are actively in use across the country. This, he explained, allows users to bypass content restrictions imposed by local authorities. “When users install VPNs, they bypass our entire content regulation system,” he said, underlining the ongoing challenge in effectively managing online content within the legal and technical limitations of the country.
The chairman confirmed that social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was blocked in February 2024 in accordance with government instructions. This decision reflected broader concerns about compliance with national digital content standards and the inability to control certain content types at a granular level.
During the meeting, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) also provided an update on actions taken against online defamatory and illegal activities. According to the briefing, a total of 554 individuals have been arrested in connection with 349 registered complaints related to defamatory content online. Out of these cases, 12 have resulted in convictions, reflecting the efforts being made to address violations through legal means.
Committee member and former federal minister Ali Muhammad Khan raised concerns regarding objectionable material on TikTok. He stated that the content on the platform is sometimes unsuitable for viewing even in a family setting, questioning PTA’s role in monitoring and regulating such content. He urged stronger action against channels promoting nudity and obscenity, calling for stricter enforcement.
In response, Rehman assured the committee that PTA tracks domestic content violators, but acknowledged that taking action against individuals or content originating from outside the country remains difficult. To expand the scope of oversight, the committee also requested a detailed briefing from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on financial crimes, highlighting the broader concerns surrounding digital platform misuse in Pakistan.
