The government of Pakistan has taken a firm stance against the digital operations of banned terrorist outfits by urging social media platforms to block terrorist accounts that are actively spreading propaganda online. In a press conference held in Islamabad, officials emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to fight terrorism in the digital realm. With the increasing use of platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram by proscribed groups, the issue has become a pressing national security concern.
Urgent Call for Action on Terrorist Accounts
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry highlighted that certain terrorist groups are using WhatsApp channels and other social platforms to spread hateful content and radical narratives. He stressed the importance of blocking terrorist accounts and called on global tech companies to assist Pakistan in eliminating such digital threats.
Platforms must take immediate measures to block and remove terrorist accounts,” he said. “We also urge them to share details of account holders and implement systems that prevent mirror or duplicate accounts.The focus keyword “block terrorist accounts” reflects a significant element of Pakistan’s digital counterterrorism strategy, aimed at disrupting extremist recruitment and propaganda online.
National Action Plan Targets Online Extremism
The government reiterated its commitment to the National Action Plan (NAP), a comprehensive strategy formed in 2014 to counter terrorism. One of NAP’s key objectives is to eliminate the glorification of terrorists and prevent the misuse of media for extremist purposes.
Chaudhry noted that the abuse of social media for terrorism must be tackled using both human moderation and advanced tools such as artificial intelligence. “We want platforms to create auto-detection and auto-blocking systems that can prevent such content from going live in the first place,” he added.
481 Terrorist Accounts Already Identified
According to Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, Pakistani authorities have so far identified 481 social media accounts affiliated with proscribed terrorist groups. These accounts were reported to the relevant platforms, but many still remain active.
Malik emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation from social media firms. We ask for detailed user information so we can enhance our counterterrorism operations. This is a shared global threat, he stated.
The call to block terrorist accounts is not just about censorship—it’s a vital security measure that aligns with international laws. Many of the groups operating these accounts are also banned in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, and are under sanctions from the United Nations.
Terrorist Groups Operating Online
Among the most prominent groups active on social media are the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). These groups use platforms to radicalize youth, fund operations, and coordinate attacks.
The presence of such groups highlights the urgent need to block terrorist accounts and prevent their digital campaigns from gaining traction. These groups use real identities and pseudonyms to mask their activities, posing a threat not only to Pakistan but to global peace and security.
AI-Based Moderation and Local Coordination
Both ministers called for the use of artificial intelligence to discover and block terrorist accounts in real time. They encouraged social media companies to set up offices in Pakistan to improve coordination and compliance with local regulations.
We welcome platforms to establish physical offices in the country,Malik said. This will allow for better collaboration with law enforcement agencies in identifying and removing extremist content.
He further noted that digital radicalization is a growing concern. Social platforms must move beyond passive content moderation and adopt proactive mechanisms to identify and block terrorist accounts before they can cause harm.
Global Responsibility in the Fight Against Terrorism
Pakistan’s appeal to block terrorist accounts is a call for global responsibility. In an era where terrorism has evolved into a digital threat, international cooperation is more crucial than ever. Countries, platforms, and users alike must play their role in ensuring social media is not used as a tool for violence and extremism.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism both on the ground and online. With over 80,000 lives lost in the war against terror, Pakistan remains steadfast in its resolve to counter this evolving threat.By working together with global platforms, the goal is to create a safer digital space where extremist ideologies have no place to hide.
