ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a stern warning to social media users to promptly eliminate any content that is illegal, hateful, defamatory, or misleading. In a public notice released on Thursday.
The PTA emphasized that under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, spreading false information that damages reputations or invades privacy is a criminal offense.
The authority urged the public to avoid creating, sharing, or propagating such content and to steer clear of narratives that could threaten national unity or tarnish the dignity of individuals and institutions. The PTA stressed that maintaining responsible online behavior is a shared civic responsibility.
This advisory was issued amid circulating rumors on January 15 about a potential nationwide internet shutdown, which the PTA clarified was false. The regulator explained that routine submarine cable maintenance was in progress, and internet services remained unaffected.
In recent months, internet slowdowns and disruptions have been common, often linked to undersea cable maintenance, spectrum limitations, or security measures. The PTA also highlighted that the recent auction of 600 MHz spectrum, approved by the Economic Coordination Committee, aims to enhance internet speeds and facilitate the deployment of 5G technology.
Additionally, the PTA reported that between January 2023 and June 2024, over 44,000 social media accounts and posts were removed or blocked across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and X, as part of actions taken under PECA regulations to curb harmful online content.
