PTA Blocks 6.5 Million Domains in Sweeping 2025 Social Media Crackdown

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan has carried out a sweeping crackdown on unlawful online content, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocking 6.5 million domains and removing over 1.5 million URLs during 2025, according to a detailed report submitted to Parliament.

The report outlines large-scale enforcement actions targeting what officials describe as blasphemous and obscene material circulating across digital platforms, including TikTok. The IT Minister said authorities are intensifying efforts to curb immoral content in coordination with relevant institutions.

PTA deployed its Web Management System (WMS) to carry out bulk blocking of pornographic domains, while also removing hundreds of URLs linked to offences against individual modesty and human dignity. Authorities said 426 URLs related to modesty violations and 1,695 URLs tied to crimes against dignity were restricted during the year.

Blasphemy-related enforcement remained a key focus. Officials reported receiving 435 public complaints, leading to 98 formal enquiries. Law enforcement agencies subsequently registered 42 FIRs and arrested 73 individuals. These cases resulted in three convictions and one acquittal. Separately, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) blocked more than 600 additional URLs containing blasphemous content.

The PTA said its actions are carried out under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA), using a hybrid regulatory approach that combines public complaints, proactive monitoring, inter-agency coordination and consumer awareness.

To strengthen enforcement, the authority has established dedicated reporting channels with major social media platforms and continues to engage them through regular consultations. It also uses advanced tools to block entire HTTPS-based websites where necessary.

Despite the масштаб of the crackdown, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges, noting that the sheer volume and speed of online content creation require continuous upgrades in regulatory and technical capabilities to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape.