PTA dismisses 'fake and misleading' notification claiming TikTok banned in Pakistan
The telecom regulator says it has issued no notification banning the video-sharing platform and urges citizens to avoid spreading unverified information.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has dismissed reports claiming that TikTok has been banned in Pakistan, describing a notification circulating on social media as “false and misleading”.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday, the regulator clarified that it had not issued any notification announcing a ban on the popular video-sharing application.
The PTA urged citizens not to share or rely on unverified information, advising them to obtain authentic updates through its official website and verified social media accounts.
TikTok has faced bans in Pakistan before
TikTok has faced multiple suspensions in Pakistan over complaints about allegedly indecent and inappropriate content.
The first ban was imposed in October 2020 but lifted 10 days later after the platform assured the regulator that it would block accounts sharing objectionable material.
In March 2021, the Peshawar High Court ordered another suspension, which was lifted in April.
The Sindh High Court also ordered the PTA to suspend access to TikTok in June 2021, but the restriction was withdrawn three days later.
The platform was blocked again in July 2021 over concerns about inappropriate content. The PTA eventually restored access in November 2021 after TikTok gave assurances about content moderation.
The PTA's latest clarification confirms that no new ban notification has been issued.
