PTA urges citizens to report anti-state content on social media – Update92

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a nationwide campaign to promote safer use of the Internet and social media among citizens.

The PTA has decided to ask for public support to stop the spread of hateful and harmful content online.

The PTA has issued guidelines urging users to act responsibly when using the Internet and social media platforms. It stressed that sharing or uploading content that undermines national defence, integrity and security is not only illegal but also a punishable offence by law.

The PTA has advised citizens to report any material they come across on the internet or social media that is anti-state. Such content should be reported to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation. Furthermore, users are encouraged to report such content to the relevant social media platforms and the PTA itself to ensure that it is promptly blocked and removed.

Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), disseminating hateful material through any computer system or device is a criminal offence. This includes content that promotes interfaith, communal or racial hatred, which is punishable by law.

The PTA campaign aims to create a safer and more secure online environment by raising public awareness about the legal implications of sharing harmful content and encouraging them to play an active role in reporting such material.

A few days ago, the PTA issued a statement regarding the slowdown of internet services in Pakistan. According to the PTA, the main cause of the disruption was the breakdown of several international submarine cables.

He noted that of the seven submarine cables connecting Pakistan to global Internet networks, two had suffered significant damage. The PTA noted that the AAE-1 submarine cable had already been repaired.

However, the PTA also noted that the SMW4 submarine cable remained faulty and that repairs were expected to be completed by October. The restoration of the AAE-1 cable was expected to improve the overall internet situation in Pakistan, but the full resolution of the problems will depend on the timely repair of the SMW4 cable.