Pakistan has uncovered 481 social media accounts linked to banned terrorist organizations and is calling on international tech platforms to help shut them down. State Ministers Talal Chaudhry (Interior) and Barrister Aqeel Malik (Law & Justice) announced this during a joint press conference in Islamabad. Chaudhry revealed that these accounts operate under fake names and unverified IDs, making it difficult to trace their origins. He stressed that Pakistan is seeking cooperation from social media companies to dismantle these networks, as they serve as key tools for terrorist propaganda.
Terror Groups Exploiting Social Media
Chaudhry noted that many of these organizations are already banned by the UN, US, UK, and Pakistan, yet they continue to operate freely online. He referenced Pakistan’s National Action Plan, which mandates action against entities spreading extremist content. The minister warned that terrorists are abusing free speech protections to recruit and radicalize individuals. He demanded that platforms block these accounts, use AI to stop duplicate profiles, and share user data with authorities, as these account holders are directly involved in terrorist activities.
Global Threat & Pakistan’s Sacrifices
Barrister Aqeel Malik emphasized that these groups threaten not just Pakistan but global security. He highlighted Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the war on terror, including over 90,000 lives lost and severe economic damage. Malik pointed out that terrorists now use platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram for communication and recruitment. He urged tech companies to strengthen monitoring systems and establish offices in Pakistan for better coordination in counterterrorism efforts.
Call for Stronger Tech Regulations
Both ministers warned that terrorist networks are increasingly relying on encrypted messaging apps to evade detection. They called for AI-driven detection tools, faster account removal, and stricter reporting mechanisms to align with global counterterrorism strategies. Malik confirmed that Pakistan is tracking more terror-linked accounts and expects social media firms to actively assist in blocking and reporting them. The government’s push underscores the need for urgent global cooperation to combat digital terrorism.