The Islamabad High Court has ordered the federal government, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to submit comprehensive reports on enforcement of laws against online harassment, blackmail and the unauthorised circulation of private material. The interim order was made by a single-member bench of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on a petition filed by Dr Raana Ahsan.

A coordinated mechanism

The court directed the interior secretary and the federal government to convene a meeting of the relevant institutions to identify coordination gaps, clarify statutory responsibilities and devise a coordinated enforcement mechanism, with a joint report and an implementation timetable. The next hearing is fixed for 23 November 2026.

Compliance figures cited

PTA compliance figures cited in the order include 98.91% for decency and morality, 79.51% for terrorism, 76.54% for glory of Islam, 76.28% for contempt of court, 67.43% for sectarian and hate speech, 59.01% for security and defence, and 40.38% for defamation and impersonation. The court said the petition raised substantial questions of public importance, including online safety, misuse of electronic, digital and broadcast media, the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms and the protection of fundamental rights. The order does not require any authority to act beyond its statutory mandate or disregard procedural safeguards.

Sources: The News; TechJuice, October 2026.