The Minister in charge of the Cabinet Division stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked over 1.3 million unlawful URLs hosted on various websites, social media platforms, and applications.
The move is part of the Authority’s ongoing enforcement efforts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to curb the spread of harmful and illegal online content.
Depending on the nature of the platform secured (HTTPS) or unsecured (HTTP) the PTA either initiates local blocking through its Web Management System or contacts the relevant platform administrators for content removal.
According to the Minister, the PTA has developed multiple mechanisms to streamline the reporting and removal of unlawful content. These include an online complaint management system accessible via a web portal and mobile app, dedicated email addresses for specific violations such as blasphemy and child exploitation, and a toll-free helpline.
Furthermore, 49 government stakeholder organizations, such as law enforcement agencies, ministries, and regulatory bodies, have been granted access to a secure e-portal that allows them to lodge complaints relevant to their domains, in line with the 2021 Rules for Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content.
While enforcement remains a key focus, the Minister noted that ensuring online safety also involves proactive public engagement. The PTA has partnered with international and local organizations, including UNICEF, Meta, TikTok, and Telenor, to raise awareness about the safe and responsible use of digital platforms. These collaborative efforts are part of a broader initiative to build a secure and forward-looking digital ecosystem in Pakistan.