PTA Warns Public Against Sharing Illegal Online Content

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a stern advisory urging social media users to refrain from posting or promoting illegal content, including blasphemous, hate, obscene, disinformation, or anti-state material. The official release highlighted that misuse of freedom of expression—especially under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016—is punishable and poses risks to national security and public harmony. PTA also warned about ongoing fake courier scams and encouraged users to report offenses via the PTA CMS mobile app.

• Public Alert: Citizen users are advised to be vigilant, with PTA emphasizing: “Be alert, stay safe.”

• Reporting Channel: Content violations can be flagged via the PTA CMS app.

• Scam Advisory: Fake courier messages—any requiring verification codes or personal data—are fraudulent and must be ignored.

Rising Online Abuse

PTA noted an increase in unlawful posts targeting religious sentiments and national institutions, risking communal tensions and public safety.

Disinformation Under PECA

The advisory redefines disinformation—including state-targeted propaganda and manipulative hate posts—as criminal under PECA’s digital offence clauses.

Courier Scam Surge

Parallel to illegal content concerns, PTA warned of deceptive SMS and phone scams posing as courier services requesting verification codes or link access.

• Blasphemous or sacrilegious posts targeting religious beliefs or prophets.

• Hate speech or incitement against social groups, institutions, or communities.

• False propaganda or disinformation depicting government or security bodies falsely.

• Distribution of obscene, immoral, or pornographic material.

• Spreading fake news designed to mislead or incite unrest. 

• Don’t share content that might insult religion, state institutions, or spread hatred.

• Report quickly: Use the PTA CMS app to flag unlawful posts or messages.

• Ignore suspicious messages, especially if requesting personal data or verification codes.

• Never share OTPs or passwords: PTA confirmed courier-related messages are scams.

• Fact-check before forwarding: Verify sources to avoid spreading misinformation.

• PTA regularly blocks up to 900,000 URLs featuring blasphemy, pornography, or anti-state messaging. 

• During 2024–25, the authority executed selective social media enforcement, including bans on YouTube channels deemed anti-state.

• PTA also collaborates with the Ministry of Interior to crack down on illegal VPN usage, often connected to accessing prohibited content.

Posting illegal content not only risks criminal consequences—like PECA prosecutions—but also fuels communal tension and misinformation.

Courier-code phishing is rising in sophistication—users should protect passwords and ignore unsolicited messages.

Freedom of expression is constitutionally protected in Pakistan—but PTA makes clear that it doesn’t allow speech that breaks the law or public order.

PTA’s August 5 warning is timely: as social media activity spikes and online scams evolve, users must exercise responsibility. The advisory underscores that PECA 2016 enforcement is active, with serious legal consequences for hate speech, blasphemy, disinformation, and obscene material. By encouraging reporting through its CMS app and warning about fake courier scams, PTA aims to strengthen digital safety awareness and protect public trust in online platforms. Responsible sharing is not just good practice—it’s a legal obligation.