PridePakistan.org Condemns PTA’s Censorship and Harassment of LGBTQIA+ Voices

Pride Pakistan strongly condemns the ongoing censorship and intimidation campaign by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) targeting LGBTQIA+ content, platforms, and individuals. These actions are part of a long-standing pattern of digital repression and harassment that seeks to erase queer existence from Pakistan’s online and public spaces.

For years, LGBTQIA+ Pakistanis have relied on digital platforms to connect, organize, and survive. But the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has systematically worked to dismantle these lifelines — banning apps, filtering content, and harassing community members.

🔒 Recent Escalation: Targeting PridePakistan.org

In October 2025, PTA escalated its censorship efforts by pressuring Meta (Instagram) to restrict LGBTQIA+ content — including posts from PridePakistan’s official account. Our website has also faced interference, with attempts to block access and silence our support resources.

This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader campaign to suppress queer voices and criminalize visibility.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Harassment of Volunteers

Our volunteer members have faced repeated harassment — including online abuse, surveillance, and threats. Some have been questioned by authorities, while others have had their social media accounts flagged or restricted simply for advocating LGBTQIA+ rights.

This intimidation is designed to instill fear and discourage activism. We will not be silenced.

📵 PTA’s History of Censorship

PTA’s actions against LGBTQIA+ platforms include:

• Banning Grindr, Tinder, and other dating apps in 2020, citing “immoral content” — a move widely condemned by rights groups The New Arab IBTimes India
• Blocking access to all gay porn sites in Pakistan, regardless of content type or safety measures
• Filtering and removing social media posts that express support for LGBTQIA+ rights, identities, or events
• Issuing takedown requests to global platforms like Meta, demanding the removal of queer content from Pakistani feeds

These actions violate basic digital rights and disproportionately target marginalized communities.

Timeline of PTA’s censorship actions against LGBTQIA+ content from 2020 to 2025

• September 2020: PTA bans Grindr, Tinder, and other dating apps for “immoral content”
• 2021–2023: PTA blocks gay porn sites and filters LGBTQIA+ hashtags on social media
• August 2025: PTA requests Meta (Instagram) to restrict LGBTQIA+ content from PridePakistan
• October 2025: PTA interferes with access to PridePakistan.org and flags queer visibility posts

📣 Our Response

Pride Pakistan stands firm in our mission to provide:

• Safe, accessible support resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Mental health and legal guidance
• Community-building and advocacy tools
• Visibility campaigns that challenge stigma and promote acceptance

We call on:

• Social media platforms to resist censorship and protect queer content
• Civil society and allies to speak out against digital repression
• International watchdogs to hold PTA accountable for rights violations

🌈 We Will Not Be Erased

LGBTQIA+ Pakistanis exist. We resist. We build.
No amount of censorship can erase our truth.

🔗 References

1. Pakistan bans dating apps Tinder, Grindr over ‘immoral’ content – The New Arab
2. Pakistan swipes left on Tinder, Grindr – IBTimes India
3. Pakistan’s move to ban gay dating apps seen as crackdown – The Commune
4. Digital Policy Alert – PTA blocks five dating apps