Peshawar High Court orders PTA to remove 'immoral' content from TikTok

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure the removal of immoral and inappropriate content from TikTok. The court has observed that there is a pressing need to activate a comprehensive social media regulatory authority in the country.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Khurshid Iqbal issued the directives during the hearing of a petition filed by a local, Saqibur Rehman. The petitioner raised concerns over the rise of 'immoral' content in TikTok live sessions, particularly the obscene and inappropriate acts in Pashto language.

According to the petition, TikTok’s live features are allegedly being misused in an organised manner to promote vulgarity, corruption, and indecent interactions. The petition stated that hosts deliberately use obscene gestures, abusive language, and derogatory remarks against women to gain higher viewership and financial benefits. The court was also informed that some TikTokers run such live sessions late into the night, blatantly violating moral and social norms.

Advocate Nauman Mohib Kakakhel, representing the petitioner, requested the court to direct TikTok’s management to take effective and immediate steps to curb such content. PTA’s counsel, Jehanzeb Mehsud, informed the court that the authority continuously blocks illegal material, has established a complaint portal for reporting immoral content, and that TikTok has already set up an office in Islamabad to address such issues.

Concluding the hearing, the court ordered TikTok to remove immoral content and stressed that institutions operating under the PECA Act must be fully activated. The bench subsequently disposed of the petition after issuing the directives.

Separately, the PHC directed the K-P Social Welfare Department to submit a comprehensive report on incidents of violence and district expulsion of transgender persons in the province. The order came during the hearing of a petition filed through Imran Khan Advocate.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Khurshid Iqbal also instructed the provincial Secretary for Law to appear in person at the next hearing. During proceedings, Additional Advocate General Aqeel Hussain, Legal Inspector Hafiz Abdul Jaleel from the Central Police Office, and a deputy secretary of the Social Welfare Department were present.

The deputy secretary requested more time to compile a detailed report, which the court accepted, but he was directed to submit a full account on the welfare and protection measures for transgender persons at the next hearing. The official also produced a letter from the Law Department restricting further progress on transgender rehabilitation initiatives. The court sought clarification from the Law Secretary and adjourned the case until December 3.