Pakistan has intensified its digital security efforts by calling on global technology firms to take stronger measures against the proliferation of terrorist content online. Senior government officials, including Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, jointly addressed the issue during a press briefing held on Friday, highlighting the growing misuse of social media platforms by proscribed groups.
Chaudhary emphasized that the government’s intention is to combat terrorism rather than restrict free speech. He described Pakistan as a frontline state in the global fight against extremism and noted that authorities have identified numerous accounts on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), which are being used to spread radical content and recruit vulnerable individuals.
According to the Ministry of Interior, groups including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) continue to exploit digital channels to disseminate propaganda and incite violence. Officials shared that 2,417 complaints linked to online terrorist content are currently under investigation, and stressed the need for swift action from platform operators.
Chaudhary urged social media companies to deploy artificial intelligence technologies to proactively detect and remove extremist content. He called on platforms to not only block accounts connected to terrorism but also to share associated IP addresses and metadata with local authorities to enhance real-time monitoring.
Further reinforcing the legal implications, Malik pointed out that under PECA, promoting or supporting terrorist narratives through digital means constitutes a serious offence. He stated that individuals found guilty of such activities will be prosecuted in accordance with Pakistani cybercrime laws.
As part of its broader digital policy framework, Islamabad has invited major social media companies to establish offices within Pakistan to facilitate coordination on content regulation, compliance, and enforcement. The presence of local representatives, officials believe, will support real-time communication between the government and tech platforms, making it easier to curb the spread of extremist ideologies online.
Chaudhary reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and digital security, stating that the country’s appeal is aligned with global efforts to prevent online radicalisation. He highlighted that while ISKP and TTP are banned by the United Nations, BLA has also been designated a terrorist organisation by the US and UK—underscoring the urgent need for collective action by global stakeholders.
The government has positioned its call as part of a larger push for digital accountability and responsible tech governance. It now awaits concrete steps from social media firms to ensure that their platforms are not used as vehicles for spreading violence or endangering public safety.
