A spokesperson from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that, between 2018 and 2024, more than 844,000 pornographic websites were blocked in the country. Despite these efforts, approximately 200,000 pornographic websites were accessed daily by users across Pakistan, with millions of attempts being made to bypass these restrictions.
Ongoing Efforts to Censor Obscene Content
The PTA spokesperson emphasized that the process of blocking obscene and pornographic content continues. Over the past seven years, millions of such websites have been successfully blocked. Between 2018 and 2024 alone, the PTA blocked 118,300 URLs leading to explicit content.
Despite these extensive measures, the spokesperson noted that many users still manage to access these websites by using virtual private networks (VPNs), which bypass the blocking systems.
PTA’s Commitment to Combat Obscene Content
The PTA remains committed to blocking illegal access and removing obscene and pornographic content. The spokesperson assured the public that efforts will continue to curb the availability of such material online and protect internet users from accessing harmful content.
Ministry of Religious Affairs Urges PTA to Take Stronger Action
In a recent development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs sent a letter to the PTA, urging the authority to take more decisive action in removing obscene content from the internet and social media platforms. The letter highlighted that Pakistan ranks among the highest in the world for viewing pornographic material, which poses a significant threat to society, particularly the younger generation.
PTA’s Previous Efforts and Supreme Court Orders
The letter referenced earlier directives issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2016 and 2018, which required the PTA to take steps to eliminate immoral content from online platforms. However, the Ministry expressed concern that such content is still easily accessible on various platforms, including YouTube and other social media channels.
In July 2020, following the Supreme Court’s intervention regarding “objectionable content” on social media, the PTA instructed internet operators to ensure that users could not post or access immoral or illegal material.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) Under Scrutiny
The Ministry’s letter also raised concerns about the role of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) in distributing unethical content. The PTA was urged to ensure that CDNs do not provide access to immoral, illegal, or obscene content. The letter demanded a compliance report from the PTA within 10 days of receiving the letter, warning that failure to comply would result in necessary action.
Harmful Impact of Obscene Content on Society
The Ministry of Religious Affairs stressed that the continued presence of such content on the internet has a devastating impact on society. It is particularly harmful to Pakistan’s youth, who are increasingly exposed to this content. The Ministry argued that this material goes against the country’s cultural, religious, and social values, and urged the PTA to take immediate steps to remove it from all platforms.
