Pakistan Urges Social Media Firms to Block Terrorist Accounts

Pakistan has intensified its call against digital terrorism, urging global social media platforms to swiftly block accounts operated by proscribed terrorist organizations. Government officials warned that these groups are exploiting online spaces to spread propaganda, recruit members, and threaten national and international security.

Ministers Raise Alarm in Press Conference

At a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik called on tech firms to take immediate action. They demanded the shutdown of terrorist-operated accounts and increased cooperation in identifying and curbing the spread of violent extremist content online.

Chaudhry emphasized that banned organizations are actively using platforms like X, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram to promote hate and incite violence. “We appeal to social media platforms to assist us in blocking these accounts, dismantling mirror profiles, and sharing information about the individuals behind them,” he said.

WhatsApp Channels Under Watch

Earlier in the week, Chaudhry revealed that a notorious terrorist group had been using WhatsApp channels to disseminate “hateful content and harmful narratives.” He stressed the urgent need for WhatsApp and other messaging platforms to collaborate with Pakistan and the global community in countering such threats.

Highlighting the changing face of terrorism, Chaudhry warned that extremist groups are adapting to digital tools faster than governments can respond. He stressed the importance of advanced tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to detect and remove accounts that violate national security laws.

National Action Plan Supports Online Crackdown

The ministers linked their demand to the National Action Plan (NAP), launched in 2014 to combat terrorism across Pakistan. Among its key goals is controlling the spread of extremist ideology through both traditional and digital media. NAP mandates strict action against those glorifying terrorism or using media for radical recruitment.

“The digital battlefield is now as critical as the physical one,” Chaudhry stated. “Proscribed groups, even those banned by the US, UK, and sanctioned by the UN, continue to exploit online platforms with impunity.”

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Tracking and Reporting Terrorist Profiles

Barrister Aqeel Malik provided a disturbing update: authorities had identified 481 social media accounts linked to banned terrorist organizations. These accounts, discovered across multiple platforms, were reported to tech companies for urgent action.

He stressed that social media firms must move beyond simple content takedowns. “We urge platforms to share detailed user data with law enforcement,” Malik said, “so we can amplify our counterterrorism efforts and trace these networks.”

The call for stronger measures included developing AI systems capable of automatically detecting and blocking such accounts. Malik also urged platforms to identify pseudonymous accounts linked to real-world terrorist operators.

Invitation to Social Media Platforms

Pakistan also invited social media giants to establish offices within the country. Officials believe a local presence would significantly improve coordination between tech firms and law enforcement agencies.

“We want long-term collaboration,” Malik said. “Setting up operations in Pakistan would allow faster response times and closer cooperation on national security concerns.”

He added that tech companies should recognize the scale of the threat and the impact of terrorist propaganda on vulnerable populations. “We need shared responsibility to eliminate digital terrorism,” he said.

Terror Groups Exploiting Online Tools

Officials named several banned groups with strong online presences, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). All of these organizations have been outlawed in Pakistan and are also designated as terrorist entities by the US and UK.

“These groups no longer operate only on the ground,” Malik warned. “They now recruit, fundraise, and spread violent ideologies through social media.”

Digital Threat Requires Unified Action

Pakistan’s ministers reiterated their country’s firm commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms. However, they emphasized that without the full cooperation of global tech platforms, efforts to combat digital terrorism would remain incomplete.

“The threat has evolved,” Chaudhry said. “To win this battle, we need to confront terrorists where they now operate most effectively—online.”