The ban comes in view of “complaints from different segments of the society against immoral and indecent content on the video sharing application,” said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The PTA said it would review its ban, subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content.
TikTok said it was “committed to following the law in markets where the app is offered.
“We have been in regular communication with the PTA and continue to work with them. We are hopeful to reach a conclusion that helps us continue to serve the country’s vibrant and creative online community,” it said.
TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has become hugely popular in a short period of time, by encouraging young users to post brief videos. Its quick rise has caught it in a firestorm, with a number of countries raising security and privacy concerns over its links to China.
In June, it was blocked in India – then its largest market by users – which cited national security concerns at a time of a border dispute with China. Separately, it faces the threat of being barred in the United States, and scrutiny in other countries including Australia.
TikTok has since quite a while ago rejected that its connects to China represent a security worry in different nations.
Three Pakistani authorities had disclosed to Reuters before on Friday that a ban on the application in Pakistan was inescapable.
“We have been asking them repeatedly to put in place an effective mechanism for blocking immoral and indecent content,” one of the top officials directly involved in the decision told Reuters. “The platform, however, hasn’t been able to fully satisfy Pakistani authorities.”
Muslim-lion’s share Pakistan has media guidelines that hold fast to traditionalist social traditions. In July, the media communications controller gave a “last admonition” to TikTok over provocative substance.
The choice was taken after Prime Minister Imran Khan took a distinct fascination for the issue, said a second Pakistani authority, including that Khan has guided the telecoms specialists to put forth all attempts to impede revolting substance.
Usama Khilji, head of Bolo Bhi, a Pakistani gathering upholding for the privileges of web clients, said the choice subverted the administration’s fantasies of a computerized Pakistan.
