The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked over 1.4 million web links and URLs across the country. The action targets illegal digital content, including obscenity, hate speech, and material offensive to religion. The Lahore High Court (LHC) was informed about the move during a hearing regarding an alleged social media campaign against judges.
In its report to the LHC, the PTA detailed the measures taken on major social media platforms. Around 197,000 links on Facebook were blocked, while 38,000 links on Instagram were restricted. The authority said these steps were part of ongoing efforts to control unlawful online material.
TikTok faced the strictest action. The PTA reported that over 163,000 video links were blocked on the platform, representing nearly 94 percent of the reported content. On YouTube, more than 72,000 links were restricted, while 70,800 links were blocked on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Additionally, the PTA blocked nearly 891,000 links across other digital platforms. The content removed included material related to contempt of court, offensive language, proxy usage, and hate speech. The authority emphasized that these steps aim to ensure compliance with national laws and protect public online safety.
The LHC recorded the PTA’s report as part of the ongoing proceedings. The court will continue to monitor the situation and review actions taken against unlawful digital content.
The move highlights Pakistan’s strict regulatory approach to online platforms. The PTA’s crackdown is one of the largest efforts to control illegal content in the country. Officials said the restrictions were necessary to maintain law and order and protect citizens from harmful online material.
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This action underscores the growing role of the PTA in monitoring digital platforms. It also reflects the increasing responsibility of authorities to address online abuse, offensive material, and content that violates national regulations.
