Pakistan takes action to block social media accounts

Dubai: The Government of Pakistan has called on major global social media platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram to immediately block and remove accounts operated by proscribed terrorist groups and individuals.

Officials have also urged these companies to use artificial intelligence to prevent the creation of “mirror accounts” and to share user data with Pakistani authorities.

At a joint press conference in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik stressed the urgent need for global cooperation in combating the digital spread of terrorism.

“This is not just a press statement. It is a call rooted in over two decades of sacrifice in the global war on terror,” said Talal Chaudhry.

“Pakistan has stood as a wall between terrorism and the rest of the world. If this wall is weakened, the fire will not remain within our borders,” he added.

Terrorist recruitment

Officials revealed that at least 481 social media accounts linked to banned terrorist organisations have been identified and reported. These groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) are not only banned in Pakistan but also designated as terrorist entities by the United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations.

“These groups are using platforms like WhatsApp to recruit members and spread extremist propaganda. Whether under real names or pseudonyms, their digital presence poses a threat not just to Pakistan, but to global peace,” said Barrister Malik.

Demands to tech giants

• The ministers made several specific requests to global tech companies:

• Immediate blocking and removal of terrorist accounts.

• Deployment of AI tools to detect and eliminate mirror accounts that reappear shortly after being taken down.

• Disclosure of user data for flagged accounts to assist law enforcement.

• Establishment of local offices in Pakistan to streamline coordination and improve response times.

Malik said: “We’re asking platforms to cooperate not just out of obligation to Pakistan, but out of responsibility to global security. We welcome their presence in Pakistan. This collaboration will ensure a safer digital environment for all.”

Legal framework

The ministers reminded platforms that hosting or enabling terrorist content violates not only Pakistani laws including the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) but also international norms and UN sanctions.

The issue has gained renewed urgency after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which officials say has allowed over 40 international terrorist groups to regroup and access stockpiles of weapons. Many are now actively operating across digital platforms.

“These are not political accounts. These are hardline terrorist networks, many under international sanctions. Freedom of speech cannot be used as a shield to protect terrorism,” Chaudhry reiterated.

Final appeal

Both ministers urged international cooperation, including from neighbouring Afghanistan, to counter the evolving threat of digital terrorism.

Chaudhry added: “Pakistan is not just protecting its own citizens, we are protecting the world. We call on social media companies and the global community to stand with us.”