ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has established aCyber Vigilance Division (CVD) to handle complaints against unlawful onlinecontent under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
In order to handle this gigantic role, PTA has also developed a StandardOperating Procedure (SOP) for lodging complaints and their disposal hasbeen developed accordingly.
All such contents which are hosted on unsecured websites is being currentlyhandled through telecom operators of Pakistan and same is being done by PTAitself through an automated system.
On the contrary, any content which is unlawful and hosted on secured website is handled differently. The popular social media websites likefacebook, youtube and twitter etc. are a few examples of secured websiteswhich are hosted out side of physical boundaries of Pakistan.
As per PTA’s latest report on Tuesday, the Authority, in this regard, hasdeveloped close liaison with all such platforms in order to honour requestsmade for removal of such content.
It said historically and predominantly, PTA has been acting underfunctions and powers given byPakistan Telecom (Re-organization) Act, 1996.
However, with development and growth of World Wide Web (www), PTA hasbeen entrusted upon responsibilities for blocking/removing of any contentwhich is declared unlawful under relevant provisions of the law. Thisresponsibility was handed over to PTA under Prevention of Electronic CrimesAct (PECA), 2016.
Since the promulgation of PECA, PTA stands committed to itsresponsibilities to facilitate aggrieved Internet users and stakeholders,including but not limited to government organizations, public offices,business entities and other agencies.
In this course, PECA also identifies the areas under whichblocking/removal of unlawful content would be addressed which are “againstthe glory of Islam, against the integrity,security and defense of Pakistan, public order, contempt ofcourt, against decency & morality and incitement of anyoffices under section 37 of the PECA, 2016”.
The complaints received with PTA against unlawfulonline content including Anti State, Anti Judiciary,Blasphemy etc. In this regard, PTA has blocked 824,878 URLsso far which came in its jurisdiction under PECA.
It is pertinent to mention that users of social media mustact responsibly while using and accessing such platforms andshould honor the norms of society and laws of the land.
In case of objectionable content is observed by any user,these platforms are open to receive complaints from valuableusers directly.
Relatively high value is given to complainant/users who reportto platforms any objectionable material directly. Thosecomplaints which are not addressed by these platforms in thefirst instance can be reported to PTA at info@pta.gov.pk forescalating the matter.