Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has clarified before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication that it does not retrieve user data from social media platforms for criminal investigations, drawing a clear line between its own mandate and the data-related functions that fall under a separate federal agency. PTA stated that its role under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 is specifically limited to the removal and blocking of unlawful online content, and that the responsibility for obtaining user data for investigative purposes rests with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency as defined under Section 29 of the law.
PTA confirmed that it does not coordinate with platforms such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram or YouTube on matters involving the provision of user data for investigations, describing these arrangements as being handled entirely by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies. The clarification comes at a time when questions about the division of regulatory and investigative responsibilities across Pakistan’s digital governance framework have been a recurring source of confusion, both within the legislature and among the general public. On the separate question of social media companies establishing local offices in Pakistan, PTA acknowledged that it has approached major platforms to register under the Social Media Rules of 2021, but noted that these companies have declined to set up local offices citing concerns about potential criminal liability for their employees, a lack of regulatory clarity, and broader business considerations. PTA added that it remains in contact with these platforms but has not received positive responses to date.
The briefing also addressed a specific incident involving the removal of a tweet by Pakistan’s Defence Minister on the platform X related to Israel, with PTA stating that it has received no complaint requesting the restoration of the deleted tweet and has taken no action on the matter, adding that it will proceed in accordance with legal procedures if an official complaint is formally filed. PTA’s Senate briefing also touched on recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, which include provisions to criminalize the spread of false information. Under the newly added Section 26A, offenders can face up to three years in prison and a fine of PKR 2 million. The amendments also propose the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, referred to as SMPRA, which would be tasked with regulating social media platforms, overseeing content moderation, and ensuring compliance with Pakistani law, alongside the creation of specialized tribunals to handle appeals and enforce the updated regulatory framework.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
