The Pakistani government has officially confirmed the deployment of a web monitoring system designed to manage and control online content. The Cabinet Division formally informed the National Assembly of the system’s implementation, which has already begun blocking websites and applications within the country.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has rolled out this system to oversee online content. According to the Cabinet Division, the PTA has blocked 2,369 URLs and 183 mobile applications through this new web monitoring system. Reports suggest that the PTA, following the system upgrade, has achieved self-sufficiency in content blocking.
The websites that have been blocked were allegedly involved in exposing citizens’ personal data, while the blocked applications were reportedly linked to the unauthorized disclosure of citizens’ identification information.
Sources indicate that the PTA’s web monitoring system employs deep packet inspection technology, which helps in controlling internet traffic at the gateway level. This advanced system is being used not only to block illegal content but also to identify and curb disinformation campaigns targeting national institutions.
Additionally, the government has announced that a data protection bill has been proposed by the Ministry of Information, further strengthening efforts to safeguard citizens’ online privacy.