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Pakistan says ready to unblock TikTok if ‘vulgar’ content removed

A man wears a protective face mask with the TikTok logo as he walks along dental shops in Karachi, Pakistan July 14, 2020. (REUTERS)
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Updated 12 October 2020
KHURSHID AHMED 
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Pakistan says ready to unblock TikTok if ‘vulgar’ content removed

  • Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator banned TikTok over failing to remove ‘immoral’ content from its platform
  • Experts say the ban will have adverse economic impacts as it makes the environment unfriendly to investors, especially in the tech sector
Updated 12 October 2020
KHURSHID AHMED 

KARACHI: Chinese social media application TikTok, recently banned by Pakistan, will be unblocked if it removes “vulgar” content, the country’s information technology minister told Arab News on Saturday.

Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), said on Friday it had banned TikTok over failing to remove “immoral” content from its platform after being granted “considerable” time to comply with the authority’s instructions.
“For the time being, (TikTok) has been closed. If they give guarantee, then it will be allowed to reopen,” Syed Aminul Haque, the federal minister for information technology and telecommunication, told Arab News. 

“They were warned twice during last three months to remove the vulgarity related content. Every time they promised but did not comply,” he said, adding that the government is ready talk to TikTok.

“If they approach (us), we will sit with them and after removal of the content, it (the app) will be restored,” Haque said.

After warnings in August, in September PTA said it had approached TikTok to immediately block “objectionable content” available on its platform in Pakistan and prevent the use of its platform “for disseminating illegal content.”

PTA did not say at the time what actions it would take if TikTok did not comply with its orders.

The decision to block the social media platform has stirred a debate, with experts warning that the move will have adverse economic impacts. 
“Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok are the cheapest source of marketing outreach and fastest conversion sources. If the touch points of access to market are closed and we don’t understand their needs, then many small and micro business will be affected. Their marketing cost was low due to these marketing tools,” Badar Khushnood, member of the National E-Commerce Council (NeCC), told Arab News.
“It would be far better to make decision by multi-stakeholder engagement”, Khushnood said. “We need to understand how these new communication technologies operate. How to align our cultural, religious, and national agendas with them for this deep multi-stakeholder engagement is must.” 

The ban is also seen as detrimental to the government’s Digital Pakistan Policy to accelerate the country’s digitization for economic development.

“It shows a regulatory environment where apps can be blocked and that makes the environment unfriendly to investors, especially in the tech sector at a time where the IT sector is growing,” said Usama Khilji, director of Bolo Bhi, a civil society organization geared toward advocacy, policy, and research in the areas of digital rights in Pakistan. 
“Moreover, apps like TikTok are a source of income for thousands of content creators, with some having a following of more than 10 million. This shows the economic potential that such a ban averts to the detriment of so many creative Pakistanis,” he told Arab News.

One of Pakistan’s most popular TikTok celebrities, Hareem Shah, said the ban would affect those who make a living from the platform.
“If we look at TikTok, there were many poor who have taken to this platform as means of livelihood. Their means of livelihood has been taken away ... This should not happen,” she said. 

According to political analysts, blocking social media platforms makes Pakistan look like a county that is not too keen on allowing innovative disruptive technology companies to grow. 

In August, Pakistan blocked five dating apps, namely Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grinder and SayHi. In July, PTA said it had banned the Singaporean live-streaming app Bigo over “immoral, obscene and vulgar content.” Bigo was subsequently unblocked. The hugely popular online game PUBG also remained banned in Pakistan through July. 

“Applying laws in such a broad manner does not send the right message to local and international investors and startups. It raises a cloud over Pakistan’s technology sector,” Uzair Younus, political economist and host of podcast Pakistonomy, told Arab News from Washington.

Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers

Updated 27 February 2026
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Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers

  • Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
  • Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
Updated 27 February 2026
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.

Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.

“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.

“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.

Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.

China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.

During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.

China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
 

Topics: China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

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