On June 23, 2024, Benazir Shah, the editor of ‘Geo Fact Check,’ found her X account, formerly Twitter, compromised following her comments on a blasphemy case. The cyber attack spiraled into severe online harassment instigated by followers of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Shah endured a distressing invasion of privacy as hackers altered her profile image […]
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on June 20 issued a notice to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seeking its response to a petition requesting a complete ban on TikTok. The petition, filed by lawyer Imran Khan, alleges that the popular video-sharing application continues to host “blasphemous and indecent” material. The petitioner argued that this content […]
On June 13, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari assured journalists that the newly introduced defamation law would not impact their work. She clarified that the legislation is aimed at social media influencers who spread misinformation for financial gain. Bukhari also announced the allocation of a one billion rupees budget for healthcare of the journalists’ community. […]
On June 14, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson criticized the government for what the party described as an “unconstitutional, illegal, and dictatorial” installation of a firewall that the party stated was intended to suppress fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information. It was reported that to regulate online content, the Government of […]
To regulate online content, the Government of Pakistan is installing a national firewall across various internet service providers (ISPs) to control and block unwanted content on social media. A well-placed official, when asked if the firewall had been purchased, confirmed to The News, “It is already bought. Now it is being installed and commissioned.” Pakistan has […]
Over 44,000 social media accounts and posts have been removed or blocked from Facebook, X [Twitter], and YouTube since January 2023, according to data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed to The News that, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, 44,418 unlawful social media accounts and posts were […]
On June 4, Saad Ahmed, a 24-year-old YouTuber, was fatally shot while capturing the local fervor for the T20 World Cup 2024. The incident occurred at the Serena Mobile Market in the Sakhi Hasan area in Karachi. Ahmed was filming a video capturing the local enthusiasm for the cricket tournament. According to police reports, Ahmed was interviewing […]
On May 30, to enhance the efficiency and professionalism of the police force, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Kashif Zulfiqar issued an order restricting police personnel from uploading videos on social media platforms, including TikTok. The notification underscores that even videos showcasing police performance in the line of duty are not exempt from this ban. “TikTok videos […]
On May 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to regulate social media. The proposed PECA Amendment Bill 2024 advocates for the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority. Once approved by the cabinet, the bill is slated for presentation in Parliament. The recommendation for the […]
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stepped forward to address a “false, malicious and contemptuous” social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar, denouncing it as false and malicious. In a statement issued on April 28, the IHC categorically stated that Justice Sattar has exclusively held Pakistani nationality throughout his life, countering rumors suggesting otherwise. The statement further […]
In recent days, the stability of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure has come under increased scrutiny following a series of disruptions and a submarine cable cut. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on April 27 denied any disruption in its internet traffic after reports emerged that the underwater fiber-optic cable, South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 5 (SEA-ME-WE […]
On April 20, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar defended the government’s decision to block access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that it was necessary for national security and public order. His remarks came amid increasing criticism and a court order questioning the legality of the ban. Dar drew comparisons between Pakistan’s ban and other countries’ actions, suggesting […]
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked more than 1.25 million URLs for containing objectionable content, the telecom sector regulator reported to the Sindh High Court (SHC) on April 16. The PTA provided a comprehensive breakdown of the blocked content: the majority contained indecent or immoral material, followed by content threatening Islam, national security, and content promoting […]
The federal government, in a bid to uphold the integrity and security of the electoral process, has announced the temporary suspension of cellular services in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections scheduled for April 21 and 22. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed in a statement issued on April 20 that, upon directives from […]
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