According to a record from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 469 mobile applications after receiving complaints from different stakeholders and the all-around public. These blocked apps include 435 Android and 34 Apple apps, flagged for having content considered against the glory of Islam, immoral, offensive, or involved in fraudulent activities.

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The PTA’s actions are established on Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 guidelines. This section allows the PTA to block or remove online content that is viewed as a danger to national security, public order, morality, or the glory of Islam.

Specifically, PECA Act Compliance Section 37 authorizes the PTA to take action against any online content that may harm Pakistan’s security, virtue, or public morality. This section also addresses cases like hate speech, defamation, child pornography, and other unlawful content PECA, giving the PTA the legal authority to handle digital content within the country.

Further advice for these actions is provided under Section 37 (2) of PECA, which details the rules and guidelines for content removal. In October 2021, the Federal Government approved the “Removal and Blocking of Illegal Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguard) Rules.” These rules guarantee that the PTA’s actions are transparent and subject to oversight, maintaining a structured approach to handling online content.

The PTA Blocking Mobile Apps is part of a more comprehensive strategy by the PTA to protect public morality and support Pakistan’s moral and ethical standards, as stated by the Ministry of Information Technology.

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