Pakistan continues to rank first globally in online indecent search trends, according to remarks made by Dr. Muqarram Ali, Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), at a recent cybersecurity seminar hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). While overall viewership of such content has reportedly declined, the country still leads worldwide in search volume for indecent material, Dr. Ali noted, reflecting persistent challenges in curbing online immorality.
Dr. Ali highlighted the PTA’s efforts to protect online spaces, stating that approximately 1.3 million indecent websites have been blocked under government directives, significantly reducing consumption of explicit content. He emphasized that the authority does not independently block platforms without formal instructions and has encountered legal hurdles when conflicting court orders affect content-blocking decisions.
Read More: Asan Khidmat Center Nears Completion in Islamabad, Set to Open by January 2026
In his address, the PTA chief also pointed to Pakistan’s growing cybersecurity posture, asserting that the nation has strengthened its digital defenses following regional tensions earlier in the year, and maintained uninterrupted access to local online infrastructure during cyber incidents. He clarified that mobile taxes remain under the Federal Board of Revenue’s jurisdiction and are not collected by the PTA.
© 2026 SDPI. All Rights Reserved Design & Developed by NKMIS WEB Unit
