TikTok Live Ban proposed by Punjab Assembly over vulgar content Azad News HD
Punjab Assembly Resolution Seeks Complete Ban on TikTok Live Chat in Pakistan
The social media landscape in Pakistan has once again become the center of heated debate, as a resolution was recently submitted in the Punjab Assembly, calling for a complete ban on TikTok’s live chat feature across the country. The resolution was tabled by opposition member Farukh Javed, who urged the federal government to take immediate and decisive action against what he termed as a rising threat to the social, moral, and cultural fabric of Pakistani society. This move has stirred strong reactions from politicians, digital rights activists, educators, parents, and the general public, as it touches upon the delicate balance between freedom of expression, digital innovation, morality, and state control.
The Resolution: A Political Move with Social Undertones
The resolution submitted by Farukh Javed highlights growing concerns about TikTok’s live chat feature, which allows users to communicate in real time through video interactions. According to the opposition lawmaker, this feature has created avenues for exploitation, obscenity, and social manipulation, particularly targeting the younger generation of Pakistan.
The resolution argues that while TikTok as a platform has provided opportunities for creativity, entertainment, and even income generation, its live chat feature has opened the floodgates to unregulated and often harmful content. Javed’s submission emphasized:
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The rising incidents of harassment, blackmail, and exploitation taking place during TikTok live sessions.
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The moral degradation observed in many live chats where inappropriate conversations, dancing, or explicit content often emerges.
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The psychological impact on minors and teenagers who actively participate or view such content.
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The economic exploitation, where users spend excessive amounts of money sending “virtual gifts” to live streamers, a feature that TikTok monetizes.
By pushing this resolution, Farukh Javed has not only targeted a social issue but also placed the ruling party in a difficult position, as it must respond to a matter that involves both public morality and technological freedoms.
TikTok in Pakistan: A History of Controversy
TikTok’s journey in Pakistan has been far from smooth. Since its global rise as a short-video platform, Pakistan has banned and unbanned TikTok multiple times. Authorities have repeatedly cited concerns over indecent and immoral content, cyberbullying, and misuse of the platform by criminal networks.
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In October 2020, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) imposed a temporary ban on TikTok, citing "immoral and indecent content."
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In 2021, TikTok was blocked again after courts and religious groups voiced concerns about the “negative influence” on youth.
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Each time, the bans were lifted after TikTok promised stricter content moderation, local partnerships, and enhanced reporting tools.
Despite these interventions, TikTok’s live chat feature has remained under scrutiny, as it is harder to regulate than pre-recorded videos. The interactive, real-time nature of live streaming makes it almost impossible to filter content instantly, leading to repeated violations of cultural norms.
Support for the Ban
Many segments of Pakistani society have welcomed the resolution. Conservative voices, religious groups, and even parents have expressed relief that lawmakers are paying attention to what they see as a growing menace. Their arguments include:
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Protection of Youth – Pakistan has a very young population, with more than 60% under the age of 30. Critics argue that exposing teenagers to unregulated live chats encourages inappropriate behavior, early exposure to explicit content, and even addiction to digital entertainment.
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Moral and Religious Concerns – In a conservative society, TikTok live streams are often accused of promoting vulgarity and “Western cultural invasion.” Many religious scholars have publicly declared that such platforms divert youth from education, ethics, and spirituality.
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Financial Exploitation – Parents have raised alarms about teenagers spending large sums of money buying TikTok “coins” to send as gifts to influencers during live chats. Reports suggest that some minors steal money or use family credit cards, leading to domestic disputes.
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Cybersecurity Issues – Authorities worry about data leaks, scams, and cross-border influence through TikTok. Live chats may serve as a tool for blackmail, as private recordings can easily be misused.
For these reasons, supporters believe that banning live chat while allowing short videos to continue would create a middle ground – encouraging creativity without enabling harmful behavior.
Opposition to the Ban
On the other side of the debate, digital rights activists, content creators, and young entrepreneurs have criticized the resolution, calling it short-sighted and authoritarian. Their counterarguments include:
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Freedom of Expression – Banning live chats would silence millions of young Pakistanis who use TikTok to express themselves. Many argue that it is the responsibility of the state to regulate, not eliminate, digital tools.
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Economic Opportunities – Thousands of Pakistanis earn money through TikTok live streams. By banning the feature, the government risks destroying livelihoods and discouraging innovation in the digital economy.
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Selective Moral Policing – Critics argue that banning TikTok live chat is an example of selective targeting. Similar features exist on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, yet these platforms remain untouched.
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Technology vs. Education – Instead of bans, activists suggest that Pakistan should educate citizens on digital literacy, safe internet use, and responsible online behavior.
TikTok’s Popularity in Pakistan
Despite the controversies, TikTok has become one of the most widely used apps in Pakistan. Reports suggest that the platform has over 40 million active users in the country. Its popularity stems from:
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Accessibility – TikTok is free and easy to use.
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Language Diversity – It allows users to create content in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and other local languages.
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Income Generation – Content creators can earn money through brand partnerships, live gifts, and international exposure.
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Community Building – It gives ordinary citizens, especially from rural areas, a chance to showcase talent and connect with the world.
Removing the live chat feature could impact both TikTok’s popularity and its ability to generate income for creators in Pakistan.
Political Dimensions of the Resolution
While the resolution seems focused on morality and youth protection, it also has political undertones. Opposition figures like Farukh Javed may be using the TikTok issue to challenge the ruling government’s digital policies. By presenting the resolution, the opposition forces the ruling party to:
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Take a clear stance on morality vs. freedom.
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Deal with potential backlash from young voters who rely heavily on TikTok.
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Face criticism from both conservative and liberal groups, no matter what decision is made.
This places the federal government in a difficult position, as banning live chat could anger urban youth, while ignoring the resolution could spark criticism from religious groups and conservatives.
Social Impact of a Ban
If the government accepts the resolution and bans TikTok live chat, Pakistan could experience several consequences:
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Positive Impacts: Reduced cases of online harassment, lower exposure to explicit content for minors, and decreased financial exploitation through in-app purchases.
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Negative Impacts: Frustration among youth, economic losses for creators, and accusations of censorship.
Experts warn that banning a feature does not eliminate harmful behavior – it merely pushes it to other platforms. For example, if TikTok live chat is blocked, many users may switch to Instagram Live or YouTube Live.
Broader Debate: Regulation vs. Censorship
The resolution has reignited Pakistan’s larger debate about internet freedom vs. cultural regulation. Pakistan has a history of banning platforms such as YouTube (2012–2016), Twitter (briefly), and TikTok itself on multiple occasions. Each time, the bans sparked protests and calls for better digital policies.
Activists argue that Pakistan should focus on:
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Developing a strong digital regulatory framework.
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Teaching online safety and ethics in schools.
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Collaborating with platforms like TikTok to improve moderation.
Instead of outright bans, many suggest adopting a “regulated freedom” model, where harmful content is removed but creative expression remains intact.
Global Context
Pakistan is not alone in its concerns. Countries such as India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have also banned TikTok at different times, citing similar issues. In the West, the U.S. and Europe are investigating TikTok over data security and Chinese ownership concerns.
However, most countries have not targeted specific features like live chat, making Pakistan’s approach somewhat unique. If enforced, this ban could set a precedent for feature-specific censorship rather than blanket bans.
Conclusion: A Crossroads for Pakistan
The resolution submitted in the Punjab Assembly reflects Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to balance tradition with technology, morality with freedom, and safety with opportunity. Farukh Javed’s call for a complete ban on TikTok live chat is not just about one app—it symbolizes the country’s broader anxiety about digital modernity colliding with conservative values.
The federal government now faces a difficult choice:
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Side with conservatives and approve the ban, risking backlash from youth and digital entrepreneurs.
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Or reject the ban, drawing criticism from religious and moral groups while keeping Pakistan open to digital growth.
Whatever decision is made, the debate over TikTok live chat has already exposed the deep divisions in Pakistani society over how to navigate the digital age. For many, Shutting down one feature may seem like a solution, but the real challenge lies in building a society capable of engaging with technology responsibly, without losing its cultural identity.
