The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has explained why TikTok Live remains accessible to some users in Pakistan despite restrictions on the feature.
PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman told a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom that authorities cannot completely prevent access to TikTok Live because users can still reach the service through virtual private networks, commonly known as VPNs.
The issue was discussed during the committee’s meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026, following concerns about inappropriate and potentially harmful activities taking place through TikTok Live.
During the meeting, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan raised concerns over what he described as extremely inappropriate activity on the platform. He also alleged that some users were producing blasphemous material through TikTok Live. These allegations were discussed as part of the committee’s broader concerns about online content and digital safety.
Senator Kamran Murtaza also raised concerns, alleging that certain content was being deliberately circulated to create social tensions.
The PTA chairman explained that while the regulator can restrict access to platforms and features within Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, VPN services can provide users with alternative routes to reach restricted online services.
Pakistan Point, citing the committee proceedings, reported that the PTA chairman said TikTok Live is officially banned in Pakistan but that authorities cannot control its use when people access it through VPNs.
The meeting also highlighted the role of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in reporting unlawful online content.
NCCIA officials told the committee that the agency sends formal written requests to the PTA when it identifies content that requires regulatory action. The PTA, meanwhile, said it blocks objectionable material when complaints are received and subsequently verified.
The discussion demonstrates one of the challenges faced by regulators when attempting to enforce restrictions on individual online services. Blocking access at the network level may limit ordinary connections, but alternative technologies such as VPNs can make enforcement more difficult.
TikTok Live has previously attracted regulatory attention in Pakistan because of concerns surrounding content moderation, user safety and potentially unlawful material. The latest Senate discussion has again placed the feature under scrutiny.
The issue is also part of a wider debate in Pakistan about internet regulation, children’s online safety and the responsibilities of technology platforms.
According to reports from the committee meeting, lawmakers also discussed stronger controls for internet users under the age of 16 and other measures related to digital communication.
For users, the PTA chairman’s comments clarify that a platform restriction does not necessarily mean that every possible method of accessing the service can be technically eliminated.
The matter also highlights the difference between restricting a digital service through local telecommunications networks and preventing access through third-party tools that can route internet traffic outside those restrictions.
As authorities continue reviewing TikTok Live and other online platforms, the focus is likely to remain on content moderation, lawful enforcement, user protection and the technical limits of internet restrictions.
