ISLAMABAD:
In a major crackdown against the online presence of proscribed groups, Pakistan has taken down hundreds of social media accounts and flagged more than 850 others to international platforms for immediate action.
According to official sources, the drive specifically targets accounts operated by outlawed outfits, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) all of which are designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations, United States and United Kingdom.
Data shared by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that out of over 850 reported accounts, 533 collectively followed by more than two million users have already been blocked. The remainder are still under review by the respective platforms.
The accounts were identified across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram and WhatsApp. The PTA has formally requested these companies to share user data and has engaged in multiple meetings with their representatives to accelerate compliance.
Officials say Facebook and TikTok acted on over 90 percent of Pakistan’s takedown requests, while Telegram despite being banned in the country fully cooperated. In contrast, X and WhatsApp responded to only about 30 percent of the cases.
While traditional media in Pakistan remains free of extremist propaganda, authorities acknowledge that banned groups continue to exploit social media to spread fear, promote violence and recruit supporters.
The government has put forward a three-point demand to global tech firms: permanently remove all terrorist-linked accounts, delete such content promptly using advanced AI detection, and maintain rapid, direct coordination with Pakistani authorities.
