PTA Warns Public Against Illegal Online Content Sharing:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a clear and firm warning to the public regarding the sharing of illegal and harmful content across social media platforms. In an official statement released on August 5, 2025, the regulatory body emphasized that freedom of expression must not be misused to promote content that violates Pakistan’s laws or endangers public safety.
According to PTA, certain categories of content are strictly prohibited under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and violating these regulations can result in legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines. These include:
- Blasphemous content or religious defamation
- Insults to prophets, religions, or sacred figures
- Incitement to violence against individuals or institutions
- Spreading hate speech or anti-state propaganda
- Sharing obscene, immoral material or fake news
The PTA has urged all social media users in Pakistan to exercise digital responsibility and report unlawful content through its Content Management System (CMS) mobile app. The statement concluded with a powerful reminder: “Be alert, stay safe.”
In addition to content-related concerns, the PTA also reiterated its advisory regarding fake courier messages circulating on messaging platforms and social media. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating courier companies or delivery services, often sending texts that request:
- Verification codes
- Personal information
- Clicking on suspicious links
- Responding to fake calls for deliveries or payments
The PTA confirmed that these messages are part of ongoing digital fraud schemes, and that such codes should never be shared under any circumstance. The public has been asked to:
- Ignore and delete suspicious messages
- Avoid clicking unknown links
- Report any such activity via the PTA CMS App
With the digital space in Pakistan rapidly expanding, PTA is taking firm steps to safeguard users from cybercrime, data theft, and online harassment. Citizens are encouraged to stay vigilant and avoid falling prey to illegal content traps or online scam attempts.
As part of its digital governance policy, PTA continues to monitor online platforms closely and warns that any violation will be dealt with under cybercrime laws.
