Pakistan on Thursday cautioned global social media platforms that they must cooperate with national regulatory requirements or risk measures comparable to Brazil’s stringent enforcement framework. Addressing local and international journalists in Islamabad, State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik stated that Pakistan is prepared to adopt firm actions if platforms continue to demonstrate limited compliance. He explained that Brazil’s approach involves blocking platforms found in violation of national rules and imposing monetary penalties. Malik added that Islamabad could also explore taking the matter to the International Court of Justice if platforms fail to meet obligations regarding content governance and data sharing essential for public safety. His remarks appeared to draw from a June 11 decision by the Brazil Supreme Court, where a majority of judges ruled that platforms may be held accountable for user-generated content deemed unlawful, a determination that enables authorities to enforce financial penalties on companies that do not promptly remove prohibited material, according to international reports.
In his engagement with the media, Barrister Malik highlighted what he described as the inconsistent moderation practices of major platforms. He noted that posts related to Palestine were removed within twenty-four hours, indicating rapid action when platforms identify concerns on specific subjects. However, he said that in contrast, authorities were denied access to essential user data such as IP addresses for accounts linked with activities that Pakistan considers harmful to national security. Malik underscored that this lack of cooperation continues to create operational hurdles for investigative bodies attempting to track networks involved in content that the state has designated as a security threat. He emphasized that responsible digital governance requires consistent action regardless of the subject matter and called for platforms to ensure equal standards across regions.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry reiterated Islamabad’s earlier call made on July 24 urging major platforms to establish physical offices in Pakistan to ensure improved coordination. He stated that individuals engaged in harmful online activity were freely exploiting these platforms due to inadequate responsiveness from some service providers. According to Chaudhry, at least nineteen accounts linked to such activity originated from India and twenty-eight from Afghanistan, based on current assessments. The minister argued that service providers must prioritize cooperation and raised concerns about selective enforcement, pointing out that content related to child exploitation is automatically removed while other categories of harmful content remain online for extended periods. Chaudhry urged platforms to deploy AI-based systems capable of detecting and removing accounts engaged in activity that compromises national security.
Islamabad has intensified efforts to curb anti-state narratives circulating online, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency taking a central role in these operations. Official data indicates that NCCIA registered 356 FIRs across the country against individuals accused of circulating anti-state material online up to September 13. Authorities also initiated 789 enquiries to track online actors involved in disseminating content targeting state institutions. Officials argue that enhanced collaboration between the government and social media companies is essential for maintaining digital safety, strengthening accountability, and improving response times to potentially harmful activity across online platforms.
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