PTA Clarifies Its Limited Role in Cybercrime and Online Fraud Cases

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has clarified that it is not responsible for regulating call centers or software houses. The authority also stated that cybercrimes and online fraud investigations do not fall directly under its jurisdiction. Instead, PTA focuses on handling unlawful online content under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

According to official documents, PTA’s authority is limited to blocking or removing illegal digital content. This includes online scams, harmful material, and misinformation on social media platforms. PTA emphasized that its role is content-related, not enforcement of criminal investigations or fraud tracking.

Still, PTA has processed 13,185 online fraud-related links for blocking. Out of these, 98.76 percent have been successfully removed. The authority worked with multiple social platforms to block suspicious and harmful content. This includes Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

Specifically, Facebook blocked 1,246 out of 1,357 reported links. Instagram blocked 39 links, YouTube blocked 99, and X blocked five. These actions followed recommendations from SECP (Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan), NCCIA (National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency), and the State Bank of Pakistan.

PTA explained that it continues to run public awareness campaigns to help users avoid online scams. However, investigations and criminal actions are handled by other agencies. These include the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) and other relevant institutions.

The authority stressed that cooperation among government bodies is key to fighting digital fraud. While PTA can limit access to suspicious content, actual law enforcement depends on specialized cybercrime agencies. This division ensures efficient handling of Pakistan’s growing online security threats.