ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) through Additional Attorney General (AAG) Nayyar Rizvi submitted a report in the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday which stated that approximately 0.4 million porn websites have been blocked by the body, according to a report by a private media outlet.
PTA stated that it has already established a ‘Web Analysis Cell’, wherein reported websites through PTA’s helpline, toll-free number, fax, post/web, form and dedicated email are analysed and processed, however, due to technical restraints, the complete blockage of obscene material on the internet is not possible in real time, but by using alternate technical methods including proxies the cut down is possible.
The PTA also told the apex court that it has initiated steps for awareness by requesting the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to take necessary steps to install suitable filters in all educational, technical and vocational institutions where free access to the internet is offered.
PTA is also in process for establishing an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) which will facilitate the local internet traffic to remain local and it will help in the development of local content with good user experience.
In addition, the telecommunication authority is also arranging awareness seminars on Child Online Protection in consultation with Internet Society (ISOC).
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar and Justice Umar Ata Bandyal emphasised that no obscene content should be aired on television channels.
