The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 12 URLs and flagged 23 more after online content targeting the Sindhi community was reported, as the Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges pressed the regulator for action.
PTA told lawmakers that the offensive material was uploaded by YouTuber Rizwan Razi. Out of 23 identified URLs, 12 were blocked, 7 removed by platforms, and 4 remain under review. The regulator noted that since the original video was partially deleted by the publisher, channel-level blocking could not be legally enforced.
Highlighting its limitations, PTA said its authority under Section 37 of PECA only allows removal or blocking of unlawful online content, and investigation or prosecution must be pursued through legal forums.
“All possible technical measures have been taken within PTA’s mandate,” the authority stated.
Committee members emphasized the need for faster and stricter measures to curb hate speech online and protect ethnic communities from digital harassment. The Senate directed PTA to continue monitoring content closely and submit an updated compliance report soon.