PTA Blocks Over Nine Hundred Thousand Websites for Inappropriate Content

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked over nine hundred thousand (900,000) websites for their inappropriate content, PTA informed National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom in a session recently.

The websites blocked were containing content of pornographic, blasphemous and anti-national nature. The anti-national content comprised of hate speech against armed forces, judiciary and other state owned institutions.

PTA also informed the standing committee on its role in curbing cybercrime and criminal activities. While the authority does control the dissemination of information, FIA deals with matters pertaining to use of mobile and internet for criminal activities. Additionally, PTA also does not hold data or control of cybercrimes in the country.

The Minister of IT and Telecom, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also spoke to media after the session. He emphasized on transforming Pakistan’s systems to e-governance to better compete in the technologically advanced world.