Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has now officially issued new rules for its consumers. All social media companies operating in Pakistan will be required to register within 9 months.

Blasphemy, defense of Pakistan, and publication of pornographic material will be severely punished.

The PTA has issued a notification of strict rules according to which material against religion, blasphemy, defense of Pakistan, cultural and moral trends of Pakistan including defense institutions and government orders have been declared punishable.

Live streaming of violence with extremism, terrorism, hate speech and pornography has also been banned.

The new PTA rules will apply to all companies, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Google Plus. Registration of social media companies with more than 500,000 users has been made mandatory.