ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has blocked more than 2,700 URLs containing blasphemous and immoral content, the National Assembly was informed through a written reply on Thursday.
In a written reply to a question from Aliya Kamran, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly during the Question-Hour that the agency had also taken action against online material harming the reputation and dignity of individuals, blocking over 600 URLs containing blasphemous content, 426 URLs on modesty of natural persons and 1,695 URLs on offences against dignity.
Providing a broader overview of cybercrime trends in 2025, the NCCIA reported 545 cases of cyber harassment and 322 incidents related to hate speech. Additionally, 187 cases of disinformation and 173 of defamation were recorded, alongside 58 cases involving child abuse content. The agency received 435 complaints related to blasphemous content during 2025 and, in response, 98 inquiries were initiated, leading to the registration of 42 FIRs and arrest of 73 individuals. According to the official reply, charges have so far been framed against three accused persons, while one individual has been acquitted by a court of law.
In a written reply, the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly that the government is fully aware of the increasing circulation of blasphemous and pornographic material, which poses a direct challenge to the moral and religious values of Pakistan. Through the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, the state is utilising a multi-agency approach involving the NCCIA and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to monitor, block and prosecute offenders. The PTA has established regulatory mechanisms in accordance with its mandate under PECA 2016 and relevant rules, and these mechanisms have resulted in the blocking and removal of a significant volume of unlawful online content.
The PTA has processed more than 1.5 million unlawful URLs for blocking through proactive and complaint-based reporting. Apart from that, 6.5 million pornographic domains are also blocked through the web monitoring system.
However, the evolving nature and huge volume of content being uploaded on the internet every minute pose regulatory challenges, which are being addressed by the NCCIA through continuous upgradation of resources.
