Islamabad, May 02 2025: PTA has issued a clarification to dispel confusion caused by the circulation of an old press release suggesting the shutdown of YouTube in Pakistan.
In a statement released on Friday, the telecom regulator confirmed that the notice being shared on social media is from 2012 and no such ban is currently in place.
The outdated document dates back to the time of former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
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He had ordered the platform’s closure in September 2012 following widespread protests against the controversial anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
PTA noted the renewed circulation of the old press release on social platforms, causing public confusion about YouTube’s current status.
The statement noted that PTA had become aware of an old announcement about YouTube’s shutdown from 2012 being recirculated online.
It added that the notice, issued in compliance with Supreme Court directives, was causing unnecessary confusion.
The authority emphasized that the information being circulated is outdated and has no relevance to the present situation.
It further clarified that no current directives have been issued to block or suspend access to YouTube or any other major social media platform.
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To avoid the spread of misinformation, the PTA urged the public to rely only on its official website and verified social media accounts for authentic updates.
The clarification comes amid rising concerns over digital rights and internet access, as social media remains crucial for communication, education, and business.
The authority reiterated its commitment to transparent communication and advised users to verify any such news from official sources before reacting or sharing it further.
