How online purity patrol works in Pakistan

Pakistan’s telecommunication authority and the Ministry of Religious Affairs are cleansing the internet of 'obscene' content. But how are they going about it?

The ministry and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), are actively involved in monitoring and regulating online content under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, also known as PECA.

Passed in 2016, PECA has been widely used to combat cybercrime and regulate online content, but critics say its provisions are vague and can be used to stifle free speech.

According to ministry spokesman Umar Butt, the ministry identifies and reports religiously offensive or blasphemous content to the PTA through its own web management system and an apex committee. This committee, comprising religious scholars, academics, and cyber security experts, collaborates with PTA to categorize and address content violations.

In 2022, PTA launched the Central Domain Name System (C-DNS), capable of automatically blocking obscene and anti-Islamic content.

‘1.3 million URLs blocked’

According to PTA’s July 2024 report to the Peshawar High Court, 1.3 million URLs have been blocked for content deemed indecent, hateful, or threatening to Pakistan's security.

Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X have also blocked significant volumes of content flagged by PTA.

Additionally, PTA blocks around 20 million daily attempts to access pornographic content, though users circumvent restrictions via VPNs.

PTA spokesman Malahat Ubaid told Nukta that the telecommunications authority blocked more than 100,000 blasphemous URLs and over 844,000 pornographic websites.

In addition, individuals and government organizations also report such websites.

Every day, he said, there are some 20 million attempts in Pakistan to access pornographic websites. Users bypass restrictions via VPNs and access porn, he added.

Ministry wants PTA to expedite blocking immoral content

To reiterate its commitment to the cause, the ministry formally requested the PTA to intensify its efforts in blocking pornographic and blasphemous content online.

In a letter addressed to the PTA’s Web Analysis Division, the ministry expressed concern over the rising trend of obscene content consumption in the country, calling for immediate action to curb its availability.

The ministry stated, “It has been learnt with serious concern that Pakistan is one of the leading countries in terms of viewing pornographic content, which is highly alarming, especially in light of its negative impact on public morality and the well-being of our society.”

While the PTA has implemented proactive measures to restrict access to such content, including following Supreme Court directives from 2016 and 2018, the ministry highlighted that pornographic and blasphemous material remains accessible on social media platforms.

It noted that such accessibility undermines cultural and religious values and poses risks to young people exposed to harmful content.

The letter called on the PTA to “take all necessary and available technical measures to block and restrict access to pornographic, blasphemous, and other harmful online content at the earliest.”

At this rate, it seems no VPN or cleverly disguised URL can escape the authorities — because nothing says virtuous society like a spotless browser history.