Pakistan Urges Tech Companies to Combat Terror Content Online

Pakistan is intensifying its efforts to combat online extremism by urging social media companies to take stricter action against terrorist content and establish local offices in the country, according to senior officials.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary stated, \"We are building walls against terrorism, not silencing free speech,\" during a press briefing on Pakistan's new digital security push. The country has identified numerous terrorism-linked accounts on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

The Ministry of Interior reported that groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) are actively using social media for propaganda and recruitment.

Currently, 2,417 complaints related to terror content are under review, and platforms are urged to respond promptly. Chaudhary emphasized the use of AI by social media companies to swiftly remove terrorist content.

Officials highlighted that the United Nations has banned ISKP and TTP, while the US and UK have designated BLA as a terrorist organization. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik warned that promoting terrorist ideology is punishable under PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act), with offenders facing prosecution.

Pakistan has requested social media platforms to block terrorist accounts, share IP data, and implement automated systems to detect and remove extremist content. Islamabad has invited foreign social media firms to establish offices in Pakistan to support efforts against digital radicalization.

Chaudhary stressed the need for international cooperation to address digital terrorism threats, aligning Pakistan's call with global security efforts.

According to the source: The Express Tribune.