The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public warning against the sharing of illegal content on social media platforms.
In an official statement, the PTA urged users to refrain from posting, promoting, or distributing unlawful material online. The authority emphasized that freedom of expression is a constitutional right, but its misuse to spread illegal content will not be tolerated.
According to the PTA, content that is blasphemous, insulting to religions or prophets, or disrespectful toward sacred personalities is strictly prohibited. The authority also warned against inciting violence, spreading hate speech, circulating obscene or immoral content, and sharing false propaganda targeting state and national institutions.
The PTA stated that such acts are punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Violators may face legal action.
Citizens have been encouraged to report illegal content through the PTA Complaint Management System (CMS) mobile application. The PTA advised the public to “Be alert, stay safe,” and play a role in maintaining peace and order online.
In a related development, the PTA also cautioned the public about fraudulent messages being circulated in the name of courier companies. These messages often include fake verification codes or suspicious links and are used by scammers to extract personal and sensitive information from users.
PTA confirmed that these messages are not linked to any legitimate courier service or official institution. Users are advised not to click on unknown links, respond to suspicious calls, or share verification codes with anyone.
“Such messages are fake and intended to mislead the public,” the statement added.
The authority warned that cybercriminals posing as courier representatives may contact people through SMS or calls, often asking for verification codes under the pretense of delivering a parcel or confirming a payment.
The PTA strongly urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid interacting with suspicious communications. Anyone receiving such messages should ignore them and report the incident to the relevant authorities.
The PTA reiterated its commitment to ensuring digital safety and protecting citizens from online threats and cybercrimes.
In recent developments, authorities have intensified crackdowns on organized crime. A major mobile phone smuggling network using cargo services was recently busted in Lahore, exposing serious loopholes in logistics operations.
