Pakistan Warns Social Media Companies of Strict Action, Hints at Taking Issue to International Court

Islamabad — The government has issued a strong warning to global social media companies, urging them to strictly comply with Pakistani laws or face decisive action, including the possibility of taking the matter to an international court.

During a joint press briefing in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law Barrister Danial said that terrorism-related content is being disseminated on social media from India and Afghanistan. They stated that platforms have repeatedly been asked to enforce Pakistani regulations but have not shown adequate compliance.

Talal Chaudhry warned that if social media companies continue to ignore local laws, the government will be compelled to take strict measures. He added that official Afghan government accounts have been spreading extremist content online.

The minister stressed that social media platforms must establish offices in Pakistan, as previously instructed, or face action. He further revealed that Pakistani authorities regularly contact social media companies regarding terror-linked accounts, but the responses are inconsistent and often ineffective.

Chaudhry recalled that on 24 July 2025, the government issued a clear warning to platforms, insisting that companies must open local offices to continue operating in Pakistan. He stated that advanced technologies such as AI and algorithmic systems are being exploited to spread terrorism, and 19 accounts operating from India and 28 from Afghanistan were identified. Complaints filed with X and Facebook received “weak and unsatisfactory responses,” he said.

He also questioned why platforms can automatically delete content related to child pornography or Palestine but fail to auto-remove terrorism-related posts. The government demands that AI technology be used to automatically detect and delete such content and accounts.

Barrister Aqeel added that social media platforms display a “double standard” toward Pakistan. He said that while Palestinian content is removed within 24 hours, X refuses to provide IP addresses of terror-linked accounts. If companies fail to cooperate, he warned that Pakistan may adopt the “Brazil model,” where X was blocked and fined.

He further stated that Pakistan reserves the right to take the issue to the International Court of Justice if necessary.