Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said in its reply filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) there is no law is in place regarding ban on use of social media by children below 16 years therefore it cannot set up system for verification of age of children surpassing law and powers rested with it.
PTA filed its detailed reply in IHC regarding case related to ban on use of social media by the children below 16 years.
The reply said formation of new legal and policy framework is essential to protect the children against Online menaces.
The power for blocking illegal online material is limited and of interim nature. Under PECA amendment 2025 Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) is being established.
According to PTA SMPRA will soon be set up regarding complaints against illegal material and forgery. Initiation of action against cyber crimes and against the spread of immoral material is now mandate of NCCIA.
As per reply PTA has reviewed over 1789000 Illegal online links and URLs so far . Over 1577000 illegal URLs have been blocked so far on account of Online violations. The overall percentage of blocking online material by PTA remained 88.20 percent.
According to PTA 88.68 percent links were blocked on tik tok, 87.34 percent on U-tube and 78.57 percent on face book. Proceedings was initiated against 79.52 percent links on Instagram, 48.42 percent on X (twitter).
Over 1066000 websites and links related to obscene material were blocked.
Over 2003000 links were blocked due to material against Islam while over 46000 links against national security were blocked.
It was said in the reply social media companies are neither registered in Pakistan nor are they bound to local laws. Technical limits are hindrance.
It is impossible to block individual material due to HTTPS Encryption . The entire website has to be closed. No reaction has been received from social media companies so far on local compliance and plea for appointment of grievance officer.
Awareness campaigns are underway in collaboration with UNICEF, TIK TOK, META and GSMA for the protection of children.
Toll free helpline 1121 has been made functional in connection with reports of Online brutalities against children and exploitation.
Protective feature ten ounce has been launched on instagram for Pakistani subscribers.
PTA requested the court to dismiss the petition to the extent of relief sought beyond its legal jurisdiction.
Information ministry, interior ministry and National Commission on Rights on children have also filed their replies in IHC.
Muhammad Jalal Haider advocate and Yahya Farid advocate appeared on behalf of petitioner in IHC.