The IHC online harassment order issued on October 27, 2026 puts Pakistan’s top digital regulators on notice: explain what you are doing to stop online harassment and blackmail, or face scrutiny from the bench. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to submit detailed reports on how existing laws are being enforced, and where those efforts are falling short.
What the IHC Online Harassment Order Actually Says
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the interim order in a petition filed by Dr Raana Ahsan, directing the federal government to convene a meeting of relevant institutions to identify gaps in coordination, clarify their statutory responsibilities and devise a coordinated enforcement mechanism.
The court observed that the petition raised substantial questions of public importance concerning online safety, misuse of electronic, digital and broadcast media, the effectiveness of existing regulatory mechanisms and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
In plain words: the IHC is not satisfied that current laws are being applied properly. It wants to see proof, on paper, from every major regulator, that the system is actually working for the people it is supposed to protect.
Which Agencies Must Now Report to the Court
The court directed the federal government, the PTA, PEMRA and the NCCIA to submit comprehensive reports on the implementation of laws aimed at preventing online harassment, blackmail and unauthorised dissemination of private content.
The court also directed the Ministry of Information Technology, PEMRA, PTA, NCCIA and other relevant ministries and departments to convene a meeting to identify legal, administrative and technical obstacles to the implementation of the laws.
The authorities were asked to explain what steps had been taken or proposed to address these obstacles and where coordination between different institutions was required.
This is significant because online harassment in Pakistan often falls into a grey zone between agencies. A victim may file a complaint with the PTA, which says the content is on a social media platform. The platform may not respond. NCCIA may say it needs more evidence. The court is essentially calling out this cycle and asking each body to own its part.
PTA Takedown Rates Show a Wide Gap Across Platforms
The written order incorporated a report submitted by the PTA, which detailed the rates at which requests to block unlawful content on social media platforms had been implemented.
According to the PTA report, the blocking rate for unlawful content varied across social media platforms, standing at 48.42% on X, 78.57% on Facebook, 79.52% on Instagram, 87.34% on YouTube and 88.68% on TikTok.
These numbers tell a revealing story. Nearly half of all takedown requests sent to X (formerly Twitter) are simply ignored. TikTok and YouTube comply at much higher rates. For a user whose private content is being circulated without consent, the platform they are targeted on can determine whether they get any relief at all. This is a gap that most coverage of this order has glossed over.
Social Media Companies Still Not Registered With PTA
The written order stated that social media companies had been asked to complete registration requirements with the PTA and appoint local representatives to handle complaints. However, the authority reported that it had not received a positive response.
According to the PTA, social media operators frequently declined requests to remove content.
Without a local representative in Pakistan, there is no one for the PTA or a court to compel directly. This is one of the core enforcement gaps that the IHC online harassment order is pushing regulators to resolve. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority does have legal tools under PECA (the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016), but the court is asking whether those tools are actually being used.
PECA’s Unused Powers and What the Court Flagged
The court noted that PECA provides for the establishment of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, with broad powers and responsibilities to remove or block unlawful content.
That body has not yet been fully set up. The IHC is essentially asking: why not? The law exists. The powers exist. The question is enforcement.
For readers who follow PTA’s regulatory actions in the telecom sector, this court order adds a new layer of judicial pressure on top of existing administrative oversight. It is no longer just the government watching regulators, it is now the courts too.
What Happens Next
The matter has been fixed for further hearing on November 23, 2026, for consideration of the reports.
Between now and November 23, PTA, PEMRA and NCCIA must prepare and file compliance reports. The Ministry of IT must hold its coordination meeting. If agencies miss the deadline or give vague answers, the court can take further action.
This is also a signal to ordinary Pakistanis. If you have reported online harassment and been bounced between agencies with no result, this case may lead to changes in how those complaints are handled. The court taking up the IHC online harassment order means the issue has moved from a policy discussion to a judicial directive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the IHC order on October 27, 2026?
The Islamabad High Court directed PTA, PEMRA, and NCCIA to submit comprehensive reports on how they are enforcing laws against online harassment and blackmail in Pakistan. The Ministry of IT was also told to hold a joint coordination meeting with all three agencies.
Which social media platform has the worst takedown compliance in Pakistan?
According to data the PTA submitted to the court, X (formerly Twitter) has the lowest compliance rate at just 48.42%. TikTok had the highest rate at 88.68%, with YouTube, Instagram and Facebook falling in between.
What law covers online harassment in Pakistan?
The main law is the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA). It gives the PTA authority to request removal of unlawful content and also provides for a dedicated Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, though that body has not been fully operationalised yet.
When is the next IHC hearing on this case?
The next hearing is scheduled for November 23, 2026. At that hearing, the court will review the compliance reports submitted by PTA, PEMRA, NCCIA and the Ministry of IT.
