PTA Blocks Over 62,000 YouTube Channels and Links in 5 Months Amid Rising Anti-State Content

Islamabad:The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed in a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication meeting that over 62,000 YouTube channels and links have been blocked in the past five months. This action was taken in response to more than 45,000 complaints regarding hate speech, religious intolerance, and anti-state content.

Chairperson of the committee, Senator Rubina Khalid, expressed serious concern over anti-Pakistan propaganda on social media during times of conflict and questioned what measures PTA had taken. According to the PTA chairman, the authority receives around 300 content takedown requests daily, primarily targeting YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

The chairman stated that the blocking actions are carried out under the **Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016**, and the flagged content is usually identified by government bodies, law enforcement agencies, the military, and intelligence services. He added that individual complaints are addressed within 24 hours. However, he noted that platforms like YouTube often refuse to remove politically sensitive content.

During the meeting, IT Ministry officials clarified that an artificial intelligence (AI) project recently attributed to the ministry is actually a private initiative, not a government-run program. The committee demanded clarification from the Federal Minister for IT, and warned that if the matter remains unresolved, it would be escalated to the Prime Minister.

The session also included a debate on the **regulation of cryptocurrency**. Senators Afanullah, Kamran Murtaza, and Humayun Mohmand questioned the legal authority of the National Crypto Council, chaired by the Finance Minister. Concerns were raised about the council being formed through an executive order, bypassing parliamentary process. The IT Secretary responded that the council is only advisory in nature.

Briefings were also given on the **Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025** and the **National Digital Master Plan**, which is expected to be completed by August. The new **Pakistan Digital Authority** will serve as a regulatory body. Questions about provincial representation in the National Digital Commission were addressed, with assurances that all provinces would participate through mutual consensus.

The committee emphasized the need to balance **freedom of expression and national security**, with the PTA chairman noting that the upcoming **PECA Amendment Act 2025** includes new provisions to combat online harassment, disinformation, and character assassination.