Over 1.4 Million Websites Blocked by PTA Under PECA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has taken decisive action against illegal online activities by blocking over 1.4 million websites under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). This move is a positive step towards promoting responsible digital consumption.

In FY2023-24, PTA blacklisted 10,9771 sites, according to an official document.

Within a year, 33634 websites were blocked due to security and defence concerns, and 268 websites were suspended for blasphemous content. In addition, 3618 sites were removed due to community or hate speech threats, and 55,723 sites were blocked because they were unethical.

According to PTA, 1,058 sites were suspended for inappropriate content and 13,422 sites were blacklisted for inciting religious intolerance during the past fiscal year. In the span of a year, 2,428 websites were barred due to various illicit actions.

Separately, during a raid, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seized up to 25 mobile booster units that were illegally used.

Category	Number of Sites Blocked/Suspended
Total sites blacklisted in FY2023-24	10,9771
Sites blocked due to security & defense concerns	33,634
Sites suspended for blasphemous content	268
Sites removed due to community or hate speech threats	3,618
Sites blocked for unethical content	55,723
Sites suspended for inappropriate content	1,058
Sites blacklisted for inciting religious intolerance	13,422
Websites barred due to illicit actions	2,428
Mobile booster units seized in raid	25

A news statement was issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announcing the successful raid on a merchant selling unlawful cell boosters and amplifiers. The search was carried out by the PTA Zonal Office Karachi in conjunction with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle Karachi.

PTA’s Effort to Promote Digital Safety

The PTA had previously announced that December 9–15, 2024, would be Cybersecurity Awareness Week. The goal of the week-long campaign was to raise consumer and individual awareness of the need for digital safety.

Specifically, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) of 2016 was the driving force behind the campaign’s emphasis on data privacy and internet security.

Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority asked people, companies, and schools to help improve the country’s cybersecurity by following our social media accounts and posting and resharing our content.

The PTA is hosting roundtable sessions with industry experts to help people and businesses learn about new cyber risks and how to defend themselves.