PTA issues notices to Google, Wikipedia for 'disseminating sacrilegious content'

E-Paper | July 17, 2026

PTA issues notices to Google, Wikipedia for 'disseminating sacrilegious content'

Javed Hussain Published December 25, 2020

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday issued notices to Google Inc and Wikipedia for "disseminating sacrilegious content" through the two platforms.— Photos AFP

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued notices to Google Inc and Wikipedia for "disseminating sacrilegious content" through the two platforms, it emerged on Friday.

In a press release, the authority said it has been receiving complaints regarding "misleading search results associated with 'present khalifa of Islam' and an unauthentic version of the Holy Quran uploaded by the Ahmedi community on Google Play Store".

Being a matter of a very serious nature, the PTA has approached Google Inc with directions to immediately remove the unlawful content, the statement said.

"The platform has been issued the notice under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguard) Rules 2020 to remove sacrilegious content to avoid any legal action by the regulator."

The authority added that complaints were also received regarding hosting blasphemous caricatures of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and dissemination of "misleading, wrong, deceptive and deceitful information" through articles published on Wikipedia portraying Mirza Masroor Ahmad as a Muslim.

"After extensive communication on the matter, Wikipedia has been finally served with the notice to remove the sacrilegious content to avoid any legal action," the statement said.

In case the platforms remain non-compliant, the PTA shall be constrained to initiate further action under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) and Rules 2020, the statement said.

Pakistan

PTA unblocks TikTok 10 days after banning the video-sharing app

Wrong impression created about social media rules: PTA

PTA asks operators to ensure ‘immoral’ content is inaccessible to users

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 25, 2020 02:26pm

PTA is 100 percent right.

Recommend 0

Browngirl

Dec 25, 2020 02:27pm

Has PTA got the guts to ban Google and Wikipedia? These email-notices do not mean anything; just for the show.

Recommend 0

Indian

Dec 25, 2020 02:33pm

Notice is not solution. Ban is permanent solution.

Recommend 0

waqar zaka

Dec 25, 2020 02:36pm

thanks PTA ... i highlighed this issue. chairman pakistan tech movement.

Recommend 0

Amir I

Dec 25, 2020 02:36pm

And as if Google and Wikipedia will listen? At the end it will be Pakistani who will suffer once PTA decides to ban everything.

Recommend 0

Ivan Karamazov

Dec 25, 2020 02:36pm

Yes, those websites should support the bigotry and fanaticism of a failed state else the said state will continue its journey into the caves.

Recommend 0

F-35

Dec 25, 2020 02:37pm

PTA is worthless like IKN. No one takes them seriously.

Recommend 0

Dr Hamza Khan

Dec 25, 2020 03:00pm

Well done PTA. Utilise all the legal means at hand to make a solid stand against this intellectual terrorism.

Recommend 0

Salacious

Dec 25, 2020 03:03pm

PTA shows how far behind it is in times. Dictating their false policies to foreign companies. A person is free to call themselves Muslims, Hindus or Thanos if they feel like. It's only a problem in states like Pakistan who dictate who is a muslim and who is not. Ridiculous. Let PTA ban Google services and wikipedia - Let PTA deprive their own citizens. Pakistanis need to realize that it is always a BAD idea to let agencies like PTA dictate to them what is right and what is wrong.

Recommend 0

Dr Malaria

Dec 25, 2020 03:04pm

freedom of speech exists in the world outside pakistan, the sooner they realize the better

Recommend 0

AAA

Dec 25, 2020 03:05pm

PTA lately in search for reason to ban social and information platforms, as ban is not the solution, take case to international court or UN.

Recommend 0

Anwar

Dec 25, 2020 03:07pm

@Ivan Karamazov, failed state is exporting from ghter jets. Loooms like you're living in a cave

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 03:12pm

Pakistani people need to learn tolerance. Any stuff said by other community/ies /non-muslims claiming anything ,should be just ignored as other communities have same human rights of expression as Mulims in Pakistan have. Faith of Muslim within heart&mind should be so stone tough,which can take any outside different view gracefully. What Muslims of Pakistan wish-all non muslims or even intelligent muslims stop free expression?

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 03:13pm

@Ivan Karamazov, to express oneś view is NOT a bigotry. What you are saying is a bigotry.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 03:16pm

@Ivan Karamazov, where is bigotry in objected material? It is you who is a bigot in real sense of the word. Do others have no right of expression?is this not a country who has signrd Human Rights Charter with UN?

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 25, 2020 03:20pm

Google, Wikipedia and Facebook should not publish rubbish, unauthentic material.

Recommend 0

PrakashG

Dec 25, 2020 03:23pm

If Google or Wikipedia remove this content, wouldn't this removal be deemed unlawful by the Ahmadiyya Community?

Recommend 0

Omar

Dec 25, 2020 03:24pm

Keeping an eye on all things(irrelevant) rather than what’s the pressing needs of people.

Recommend 0

Zahoor Hussain

Dec 25, 2020 03:27pm

We support PTA on an original issue and demand Google to remove this misleading content from its website. Well done PTA.

Recommend 0

A Pakistani

Dec 25, 2020 03:30pm

Keep living in dark ages.

Recommend 0

SATT

Dec 25, 2020 03:33pm

World listens to super power Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Neelam Manzoor

Dec 25, 2020 03:33pm

The 1970's pakistan was much better than the today's one. As we are moving forward, we are moving further towards orthodox controls, Conservative mindset. The entire ecosystem will destroy the pakistan as fanaticism will rise, and mullahs will take over this country.

Recommend 0

Abdulla Sakir

Dec 25, 2020 03:34pm

Who cares?

Recommend 0

Roma

Dec 25, 2020 03:35pm

Pakistan can always ban the whole Internet. That will make Pakistan the land of pure, milk and honey.

Recommend 0

Kumar

Dec 25, 2020 03:37pm

Google should stop all services (apps: google search, YouTube, paly store, ....etc) to Pakistan. Also Wikipedia should stop. Else they better bend to PTA in every silly matter.

Recommend 0

Bharatiya

Dec 25, 2020 03:38pm

Stop using it simple. They hardly cares for you.

Recommend 0

Amjad

Dec 25, 2020 03:43pm

Good decision, need to stop this disinformation

Recommend 0

Ali

Dec 25, 2020 03:44pm

Yes yes... Ban google, ban wikipedia,.. Ban internet! Our kids will learn only from the masjid mullas.. And we ll reach the moon!!

Recommend 0

divergence

Dec 25, 2020 03:44pm

Has PTA just started to use internet? Will notices be issued on every non-Islamic search result that one may come across on internet? Internet has no limits, it is a source of information as well as disinformation. These sacrilegious posts mentioned in this news is not new, it has been coming up in search results for a long time.

Recommend 0

Truth

Dec 25, 2020 03:45pm

No one cares

Recommend 0

@papi

Dec 25, 2020 03:45pm

Why neo Muslims have all the issues

Recommend 0

Amjad

Dec 25, 2020 03:46pm

@Salacious, They can choose to believe whatever they like but they will not be allowed to change Islam. Get that through your thick skull otherwise it will not end well.

Recommend 0

Ivan Karamazov

Dec 25, 2020 03:53pm

@Chrís Dăń, threatening legal action and ban is literally censorship - the opposite of freedom of expression. Do you even understand what free speech means?

Recommend 0

Sam

Dec 25, 2020 03:56pm

Only solution is to ban Wikipedia, Google products and Facebook completely. Government should make official versions of holy texts available through its own web site.

Recommend 0

Baazigar

Dec 25, 2020 03:57pm

Let's see whether Google and Wikipedia consider Pakistan as a nation.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 03:58pm

@Zahoor Hussain , Google is NOT in administrative control of Pakistan. As a gesture of politeness,Google may remove this stuff. However why do NOT you develop a graceful tolerance to be morally capable to ignore what does not suit your version of Islam? You need to understand 1 fact-you can not win opponentś heart through coercion. And Islam does not force itself on people. Why you are forcing yoyrself on other points of view?Are you not confident about your own faith inside you?

Recommend 0

Amjad

Dec 25, 2020 03:59pm

@Kumar, Yes you keep these useless sites. We will see how you react when they start to cause trouble in your country.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 04:06pm

It s sad. But true. Mullahs have hijacked the Muhamadan law and twisted everything as per their own interpretations. It is by design,started from 1980&later on suited all political leaders. Who leader does not like his sheep population/young generation,duly addicted to opium of twisted interpretations of religion,easilly provocative& who on merit can nt compete world of science -hence useful only for food of political&religious leaders n the country. Minds are closed. Job is done.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 04:06pm

@Amjad, who are you to dictate yoyrself on other human beings?

Recommend 0

IrfanL

Dec 25, 2020 04:10pm

Not sure about Wikipedia but Google can do regional customization to their platform. They are already doing similar stuff for other countries.

Recommend 0

Pakistani

Dec 25, 2020 04:12pm

No democracy and freedom of speech in any Muslim country.

Recommend 0

Khan Baba

Dec 25, 2020 04:26pm

Ban both of them, we dont need such platforms who spread fake information about our religion.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 04:31pm

@Pakistani , incorrect. Turkey ,Albania,Bosnia,Kosovo are secular countries. Indonesia,Jordan,Malaysia,Morocco, Egypt are very liberal countries . Only Pakistan is hijacked by mullahs in collusion with political leaders.

Recommend 0

Kaz

Dec 25, 2020 04:41pm

This is Pakistan's version of freedom of speech

Recommend 0

Amjad

Dec 25, 2020 04:44pm

@Chrís Dăń, I don't force my belief onto anyone else. People can believe whatever they like. If people don't like Islam they are free to follow another religion.

Recommend 0

Kaz

Dec 25, 2020 04:44pm

Pakistan should ban Facebook, Google, Wkipedia, YouTube, Microsft and all their subsidiaries with immediate effect. After all Pakistan is a big supporter of Freddom of Speech

Recommend 0

Dr Iqbal Farmani

Dec 25, 2020 04:51pm

Religion is matter of faith

Recommend 0

Omer Mallhi

Dec 25, 2020 04:57pm

Do you guys actually think before you act. Do you actually believe Wikipedia or Google will be effected by a ban. Only Pakistanis will be effected. It's like a bank robber going to the bank and then threatening to stab himself. Idiots

Recommend 0

Sam

Dec 25, 2020 04:57pm

Chinese should be introduced as a language in Pakistan. That way Pakistan can use all the apps and software from China in future.

Recommend 0

Bipul

Dec 25, 2020 05:02pm

Please ban them immediately.

Recommend 0

Friend

Dec 25, 2020 05:04pm

@Indian, Yes it will.be banned along with YouTube we will go for Chinese app

Recommend 0

Critic

Dec 25, 2020 05:05pm

PTA is a joke

Recommend 0

AJo

Dec 25, 2020 05:09pm

Also published theory of evolution which is against belief.

Recommend 0

divergence

Dec 25, 2020 05:10pm

Obviously it is an ill-advise to ask authorities to ban Google and other search engines. Rather enforcing a ban makes a mockery of the claims which are made to regulate social media and tech companies. Realistically, content can be removed even from Google by sending a request. Wikipedia itself claims to be a platform where any information can be entered.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 05:18pm

@Amjad, and everyone is free to express his view also. We should have tolerance also.

Recommend 0

Kurt

Dec 25, 2020 05:21pm

All religions must be open to criticism and scrutiny.

Recommend 0

Tahir M

Dec 25, 2020 05:31pm

@waqar zaka, And tell me how does this action change the fortunes of Pakistan? Will this make Pakistan a world leader to reckon with?

Recommend 0

A. ALI

Dec 25, 2020 05:32pm

@F-35, PMLN is worthless like NS they never protested earlier on such issues...

Recommend 0

Zain

Dec 25, 2020 05:36pm

Is Pakistan the owner and torch bearer of Islam ? It is a free world and when no other country has objection why is Pakistan concerned . If you don’t like,just block the content and do not dictate the world

Recommend 0

Reality

Dec 25, 2020 05:40pm

@Fastrack, stop using Google as its CEO is an INDIAN.

Recommend 0

Ifti Malik

Dec 25, 2020 05:40pm

That's all we can do. Watch the Net and complain.

Recommend 0

Ifti Malik

Dec 25, 2020 05:42pm

@Ali, very right

Recommend 0

John Cool

Dec 25, 2020 05:58pm

@Chrís Dăń, Brilliant!!

Recommend 0

Humza

Dec 25, 2020 06:28pm

Someone ban the PTA, please.

Recommend 0

Dr.AsHamed.

Dec 25, 2020 06:30pm

I don't think the East understands the freedom of speech in the West.

Recommend 0

Laila

Dec 25, 2020 06:45pm

@Neelam Manzoor, you talk so much sense. I enjoy your comments. I have heard of and seen pictures of Pakistan in the 1960/70s and I agree it seems it was much different, progressive, and even tolerant than today. Its unfortunate that we have completely destroyed the beautiful peaceful vision of Jinnah. Most seem ignorant of what Jinbahbsyoif for and who he was as a human. A great beautiful legend of a human.

Recommend 0

Laila

Dec 25, 2020 07:00pm

@Chrís Dăń, but you know, signing something doesn't mean anything, if we pakistanis dont practise it. You should read the UN Human Rights Declarations. Judging and declaring others to be non Muslims because we don't agree with their way of religion is bigotry and intolerance in itself, and not supported by the human rights declaration. Until we as a diverse nation understand and practise tolerance including religious tolerance, we can not progress and are in no position to lecture others.

Recommend 0

Quick Response

Dec 25, 2020 08:06pm

Obviously there is shortsightedness prevailing through out!

Recommend 0

Arif

Dec 25, 2020 08:10pm

PTA should launch her own search engine and block Google.

Recommend 0

Prabhjyot Singh Madan

Dec 25, 2020 08:28pm

I think this action against google is a excuse to welcome the Chinese search engine "Baidu" to come over and takeover the internet search engine and become a monopoly in Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Jak

Dec 25, 2020 08:39pm

Wikipedia and Google should just flip the proverbial bird. Let the PTA take action. The worst they can do is ban them in Pakistan on their way to make Pakistan another isis-istan.

Recommend 0

Marquis de Sade

Dec 25, 2020 09:03pm

For domestic consumption only. Google and Wiki will not consider this worthy of a reply.

Recommend 0

kamal chowkidar

Dec 25, 2020 09:14pm

I can't survive without Google Inc and Wikipedia. They are essentials for survival in today's world.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 09:45pm

@Dr.AsHamed., Pakistani can not imagine it. Therefore this Google is facing problems in Pakistan as Pakistani wish to control it also .

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 09:48pm

@Ivan Karamazov, yes free speech what West has.

Recommend 0

Love love

Dec 25, 2020 10:05pm

@Amjad, why don't you stop using internet

Recommend 0

Raja

Dec 25, 2020 10:42pm

Ban them and let Pakistani students get deprived of Knowledge.

Recommend 0

Zum

Dec 25, 2020 11:08pm

Publicity stunt. Google will reject them, then what?

Recommend 0

TruthSeeker

Dec 25, 2020 11:35pm

PTA should sue them and create their own Google and Wikipedia.

Recommend 0

Khan - NYC

Dec 26, 2020 12:17am

I'm sure Google and Wikipedia will listen immediately!

Recommend 0

Ali

Dec 26, 2020 12:24am

This also is due to blindly emotional Muslims who have reported this so many time that these have become top due to boosted SEO.

Recommend 0

dubious

Dec 26, 2020 12:51am

It's a big World and most of it's inhabitants aren't Muslim - get used to it.

Recommend 0

Kris

Dec 26, 2020 01:14am

Google - We want to help you discover information from anywhere on the internet. Wikipedia - We want to organize information on the internet. Pakistan - We want Google and Wikipedia to censor information organization and discovery. This is what fascism looks like. Pakistan is on a dangerous downward spiral, and it's all happening in front of our eyes.

Recommend 0

RationalBabu

Dec 26, 2020 01:29am

@Amjad, are they really? Without any consequences?

Recommend 0

RationalBabu

Dec 26, 2020 01:30am

@Laila, absolutely spot on!

Recommend 0

Vishnu Kayarat

Dec 26, 2020 01:32am

Ban them like how China did

Recommend 0

RationalBabu

Dec 26, 2020 01:35am

@Amjad, threatening violence again as usual?

Recommend 0

Secularist

Dec 26, 2020 01:49am

The market capitalization of Google is more than three times the annual GDP of entire Pakistan, Wikipedia has 18 billions views per day and is as democratic a portal as one can imagine. Just saying!

Recommend 0

Amjad

Dec 26, 2020 02:23am

@Love love, Don't like my comments then don't visit Pakistani website. Stay on the low class Indian propaganda sites.

Recommend 0

divergence

Dec 26, 2020 02:42am

@Dr.AsHamed., I think you need to stay updated. Even the west is now questioning the freedom of speech that internet and then social media allowed. Like half-cooked arguments, many people are criticizing the poorly managed policy of social media's regulation, yet they ignore the fact or perhaps don't know that many such freedoms are being questioned in west too.

Recommend 0

divergence

Dec 26, 2020 02:43am

@Chrís Dăń, You need to present your argument in a better way than this. or this is just some agenda motivated tirade

Recommend 0

taile fulail

Dec 26, 2020 03:19am

@Anwar, Who's buying your fighter jets? Any names?

Recommend 0

taile fulail

Dec 26, 2020 03:30am

@Dr Iqbal Farmani, Correction: Religion is a matter of PERSONal faith. I may not believe what my father believes. And my son may not believe what I believe.

Recommend 0

Ibrahim S

Dec 26, 2020 05:30am

@Kurt, religion has caused more hate, violence and deaths than any other reasons collectively

Recommend 0

Inam

Dec 26, 2020 06:29am

Why fear lies, unless you don't trust your truths?

Recommend 0

Ibrahim S

Dec 26, 2020 06:38am

@Reality, he is USA citizen with Indian ethnicity like we all do . Trust me he does not have even a minute pint of prejudice in his blood like we do in South Asia. Please don’t drag them in your regional stupidity

Recommend 0

Ubaid

Dec 26, 2020 06:39am

@Dr.AsHamed.i don't agree with PTA but you got to open your eyes as well. Try to say something about holocaust or Jews and then see what happens to freedom of speech in west. You can draw all the cartoons that's freedom but can be fired for saying that holocaust was not true

Recommend 0

Daar

Dec 26, 2020 06:39am

PTA trying to put last nail in the coffin of intellectual thinking

Recommend 0

Ibrahim waka

Dec 26, 2020 06:47am

@divergence, It's called too much addiction of foreign values.ditch these websites completely and focus on bettering yourselves & be good to your fellow humans.Follow the law of the almighty & see what happens.

Recommend 0

Dr. Rashid

Dec 26, 2020 07:19am

@Browngirl, Better than doing nothing in my opinion.

Recommend 0

Pendoo

Dec 26, 2020 07:31am

Logic is very simple to follow for those supporting PTA's stand, only if they are willing to understand. If you don't want others to dictate which religion you should believe in, then stop doing it to others. Religion is not your personal property that you can kick people out of. All of the proponents of this notice are not doing any service to their own religion by towing mullahs' line and not trying to understand the logic behind the differences themselves.

Recommend 0

amazed

Dec 26, 2020 09:44am

PTA cannot take on something many times its size.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 26, 2020 11:09am

@divergence, my point is clear. Pl do not hesitate to ask any clarification but with a specific reference for ease of response. No.no agenda. Just educated view.

Recommend 0

Chrís Dăń

Dec 26, 2020 11:15am

@Laila, I myself have referred Charter of Human Rights by UN as signed by Pakistan. But still,Pakistani people are bigots. They do not like other religions to have their own views. Pakistanis have zero tolerance. They like to say anything themselves but can.not hear any otherś point of view. The frequent use of Blasphemy law is a glaring example. We have to be free from mullah &need to have our own views alongwith tolerance.

Recommend 0

TZaman

Dec 26, 2020 01:02pm

So Google is afraid and crying now for receiving notice from mighty PTA of a poor country.

Recommend 0

Video

Branded Content

Moving businesses forward: How Yango is redefining corporate mobility in Pakistan

Yango Pakistan Country Head Miral Sharif and Yango Ride Head of B2B Ivan Kaplunovich discuss the evolving landscape of corporate mobility in Pakistan.

Resecurity partners with Sapphire Consulting to accelerate secure code engineering and cybersecurity practices

As organisations modernise digital platforms and accelerate software development, cybersecurity must be integrated earlier into the technology lifecycle.