Pakistan continues to rank at the top globally in searches for explicit content, even though actual viewership has declined, said Dr. Muqarram Ali, Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA. Speaking at a cybersecurity seminar at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute SDPI, he noted that large-scale blocking of indecent websites has made a clear impact.
Dr. Ali stated that Pakistan previously led in viewership, but sustained enforcement measures have moved the country down from that position. The PTA has blocked around 1.3 million websites containing immoral or unethical material, acting strictly on government directives rather than proactively shutting down platforms.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by conflicting court orders, noting that the PTA must follow prescribed legal and administrative procedures. Referring to the temporary blocking of Wikipedia, Dr. Ali explained that the move triggered an international response, leading to the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to review the issue.
On cybersecurity, Dr. Ali said Pakistan has emerged among the top countries in preparedness. He claimed that during the May conflict with India, Pakistan successfully defended its websites and no local platforms were taken offline. He further clarified that mobile taxes are collected by the Federal Board of Revenue, not the PTA.
© 2026 SDPI. All Rights Reserved Design & Developed by NKMIS WEB Unit
