Social Concerns Escalate: Petition Urges Peshawar High Court to Block TikTok in Pakistan

A petition demanding a nationwide restriction on TikTok was brought before the Peshawar High Court during a Tuesday hearing, where concerns were raised about the platform’s alleged role in spreading inappropriate material and influencing social behavior in a negative direction. The petitioner argued that unchecked content circulating on social media is gradually eroding cultural and moral standards, especially among younger users who are highly active online. The case was examined by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Farah Jamshed, while Barrister Babar Shehzad Imran, representing the petitioner, maintained that objectionable videos are shaping unhealthy trends in society. Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the court that they had already submitted a detailed report regarding internet monitoring and firewall systems. PTA’s counsel Jahanzeb Mehsud explained that algorithm-based platforms continuously suggest similar content, making selective censorship technically difficult. However, he added that several accounts violating rules have already been blocked. The bench questioned why swift removals are possible for political material but not for harmful online content. PTA further stated that a new regulatory body, the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, has been formed to handle such challenges. The court then sought a formal report from the authority and postponed further proceedings.