Hundreds of terror accounts on social media blocked

In a crackdown on social media accounts linked to proscribed organizations, Pakistan has blocked hundreds of accounts and reported over 850 others to global platforms for action.

The government said the move is part of a decisive effort to curb online terrorism, targeting accounts operated by banned outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army and Baloch Liberation Front—groups banned by the United Nations, United States and United Kingdom.

According to official data, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported more than 850 such accounts. Of these, 533 accounts—followed by over 2 million users—have been blocked, with action pending against the rest.

The reported accounts were found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram and WhatsApp. The PTA has requested these platforms to share relevant data and has held meetings with their representatives to speed up enforcement.

Facebook and TikTok acted on more than 90 percent of the requests, while Telegram, despite being banned in Pakistan, cooperated fully. However, X and WhatsApp responded to only about 30 percent of the requests.

Officials say Pakistan's electronic and print media remain free of terrorist propaganda, but extremist groups continue to use social media to spread fear, incite violence and recruit followers.

The government has made a three-point demand to global platforms to permanently block all accounts linked to terrorists. The content should be deleted immediately through advanced AI systems and rapid communication should be maintained with Pakistan.