ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday dismissed as fake and misleading a notification circulating on social media claiming that the government had decided to ban popular video-sharing platform TikTok in Pakistan.
The telecom regulator clarified that it had issued no such notification and advised the public against sharing or relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
In a statement, the PTA said a fake notification regarding an alleged ban on TikTok was being circulated online.
“PTA clarifies that no such notification has been issued, and the circulating information is false and misleading,” the authority said.
It advised citizens to obtain authentic information only through its official website and verified social media platforms.
The clarification came after a purported notification bearing the regulator’s name began circulating on social media, claiming that access to TikTok would be blocked across the country.
The document allegedly cited national security, public order and the protection of children and young people as reasons for the proposed ban. It also claimed that internet service providers had been directed to block access to the platform.
The PTA rejected the claims, making clear that no such decision had been announced.
What is TikTok and how does it work?
TikTok is a global short-form video-sharing and entertainment platform that allows users to create, edit, watch and share videos, generally accompanied by music, sound effects and other digital features.
Launched internationally in 2017 by Chinese technology company ByteDance, the application has become one of the world’s most widely used social media platforms.
Users can record videos directly through the application or upload existing footage, edit it using filters, visual effects, music and other tools, and share it with followers or the wider TikTok community.
One of its most prominent features is the personalised “For You” feed, which recommends videos based on users’ interests and interactions, including the content they watch, like, share and comment on.
The platform also offers features such as live streaming, direct messaging, video duets, stitching, photo posts and interactive effects. Creators can build audiences, collaborate with other users and, subject to eligibility and regional availability, earn money through monetisation programmes and virtual gifts.
TikTok’s recommendation system is central to its popularity, allowing users to discover content from creators they do not necessarily follow.
Where is TikTok headquartered?
TikTok’s global headquarters are in Los Angeles, California, and Singapore, according to the company’s official website.
The platform is operated by TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, a global technology company founded in China in 2012. ByteDance also operates Douyin, a separate short-video application designed for the Chinese market.
TikTok and Douyin operate as separate platforms, with TikTok serving international markets and Douyin catering to users in mainland China.
Apart from its two headquarters, TikTok has offices in several major cities, including New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo.
The company describes its mission as inspiring creativity and bringing joy through digital content and online communities.
TikTok’s previous bans in Pakistan
The latest clarification comes against the backdrop of repeated regulatory and judicial interventions concerning TikTok in Pakistan.
The PTA first blocked the application in October 2020 following complaints about content described by the regulator as ‘immoral and indecent’. The ban was lifted after 10 days after the company assured the authority that it would block accounts involved in sharing objectionable material.
In March 2021, the Peshawar High Court ordered the suspension of TikTok services over concerns about allegedly inappropriate content. The restriction was subsequently lifted in April.
In June 2021, the Sindh High Court also directed the PTA to suspend access to the application over complaints about immoral and obscene content. The suspension was withdrawn three days later.
The PTA again blocked TikTok on July 20, 2021, citing the platform’s failure to remove inappropriate content.
The Islamabad High Court subsequently questioned the regulator’s authority to impose a blanket ban on the application and sought a response from the relevant government authorities.
TikTok continued engaging with the PTA and assured the regulator that it would take measures to prevent the uploading and dissemination of unlawful content.
The PTA restored the application on November 19, 2021, following assurances from the company’s management that it would strengthen content moderation and block users repeatedly involved in uploading unlawful material.
Millions of videos removed in Pakistan
Content moderation has remained a major issue in the regulator’s engagement with TikTok, particularly over material considered unlawful or inappropriate under Pakistani laws.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for April-June 2025, the platform removed 25,448,992 videos from Pakistan during the three-month period for violating its community guidelines.
The company said 99.7 per cent of those videos were removed proactively, while 96.2 per cent were taken down within 24 hours of being uploaded.
In the preceding quarter, January-March 2025, TikTok reported removing 24,954,128 videos in Pakistan for similar violations.
The figures were reported by the platform itself and reflect enforcement of its community guidelines rather than a separate assessment by Pakistani authorities.
The PTA maintains engagement with international social media companies to address complaints about unlawful online content and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
On the other hand, the PTA has formally registered two popular social media platforms, BIGO LIVE and Likee, in Pakistan under Bigo Service Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, bringing their operations under the country’s regulatory framework for online content.
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