Pakistan continues to rank high globally in searches related to indecent content, though it no longer leads in actual viewership, said Dr. Muqarram Ali, Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). He spoke during a cybersecurity seminar at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
Dr. Ali highlighted that PTA’s strict enforcement has had a significant impact. Around 1.3 million indecent websites have been blocked to reduce access to immoral and unethical material. Previously, Pakistan held the top spot in global viewership of such content, but sustained actions have moved the country down in rankings.
The PTA chief explained that the authority blocks content based on government directives and does not act proactively. He also noted challenges due to contradictory court orders, where one court may demand blocking a platform while another allows it. In such cases, PTA follows the prescribed legal and administrative process.
Referring to the temporary blocking of Wikipedia, Dr. Ali said the move triggered international reactions, leading to the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to review the issue. He emphasized that the PTA’s website blocking has always followed government instructions, consistent with previous administrations.
On cybersecurity, Dr. Ali said Pakistan has emerged as one of the top countries in preparedness. During the Pak-India cyber conflict in May, Pakistan successfully defended against attacks, with no local websites taken offline.
He also clarified that the PTA does not collect mobile taxes. This responsibility lies with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
These efforts demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to protecting children online, regulating immoral content, and improving cybersecurity. The PTA continues to monitor online activity while adhering to legal and administrative frameworks.
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The country’s approach reflects a balance between technological enforcement, international scrutiny, and legal compliance, highlighting ongoing efforts to make the digital space safer for all citizens in Pakistan.
