WhatsApp urged to block TTP propaganda
The government has called on WhatsApp and the international community at large to take immediate action against the banned terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is using the messaging platform to spread violent propaganda.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal ChaudrySenator raised the alarm in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the TTPa UN and US-designated terrorist grouphas been operating WhatsApp channels to send bulk messages promoting its extremist ideology.
"Pakistan has zero tolerance for these terror groups and is offering tremendous sacrifices to ensure global peace," Chaudry said.
He urged WhatsApp and the international community to cooperate in blocking these accounts and developing algorithms to automatically detect and suspend such handles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Dar seeks 'stable relationship' with US in meeting with Rubio
DPM Ishaq Dar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC on July 25, 2025. Photo: Foreign Office Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Pakistan sought an 'expanded and stable' bilateral relationship with Washington, highlighting the 'strong convergences' between the two sides on several issues. Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face-to-face meeting at the State Department, following several telephonic conversations. A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that upon his arrival at the State Department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation-level talks. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals. Pleased to meet Secretary @MarcoRubio for a comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our commitment to the long term Pakistan-US partnership, with renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI and CT cooperation. We also exchanged… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 25, 2025 Both sides reviewed the progress in the ongoing Pakistan-US trade dialogue, expressing optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US businesses and investors. On regional security, the leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation and broader peace efforts. Dar lauded President Donald Trump and the US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the President's role amid recent Pakistan-India tensions. Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for expanded and stable bilateral relations, underscoring that there is a strong convergence of views and shared interests between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the Pakistani-American community as a 'bridge' between the two nations. نائب وزیر اعظم /وزیر خارجہ پاکستان محمد اسحاق ڈار کا دورہ امریکہ اور امریکی زیر خارجہ مارکو روبیو سےملاقات@MIshaqDar50 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 25, 2025 Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance institutional cooperation in diverse sectors, expressing determination to work together for long-term stability and prosperity. This marked the first formal meeting at the foreign minister level between Pakistan and the United States in several years, as the previous administration under president Joe Biden had largely ignored Islamabad. The meeting between Dar and Rubio came against the backdrop of a renewed push by both sides to reset their ties, which have often been marred by mistrust. Contrary to expectations, under President Trump's second term, relations between the two countries took a positive turn. It was Pakistan's assistance in arresting and extraditing one of the masterminds of the Kabul Airport attack in August 2021 that led to the reset in ties with the US. President Trump publicly praised Pakistan's efforts in his first address to the US Congress. Also Read: US hosts Pakistan military chief at White House, India responds by warming to China The India-Pakistan conflict also brought the two countries closer, as Trump repeatedly took credit for brokering the ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals. Then, amid the Iran-Israel war, President Trump hosted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House in an unprecedented move that raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Following the army chief's meeting at the White House, there have been increased contacts between the two countries. The meeting in Washington on Friday was seen as Pakistan's push to revive the structured mechanism between the two countries.
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Rubio lauds Pakistan's anti-terror role, vows deeper ties in meeting with FM Dar
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and praised its constructive role in promoting regional stability, Aaj News reported. The remarks came during his first in-person meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who is on an official visit to the United States. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including agriculture, minerals, and digital technology. The delegation-level talks were attended by senior officials from both sides, including Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S., Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. Dar received a warm welcome upon arrival and appreciated the U.S. leadership's efforts toward peace. He highlighted Pakistan's potential as an investment destination and reiterated the importance of deepening trade and technology collaboration. The deputy prime minister is also scheduled to speak at the US think tank, The Atlantic Council, sharing Pakistan's perspective on regional and global issues as well as the future of Pak-US relations. Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, and senior embassy officials received Dar at the train station in the US capital. Reciprocal tariff: Pakistan officials to meet Trump administration, Bloomberg reports During his week-long visit, Dar attended high-level signature events of Pakistan's UN Security Council (UNSC) presidency in New York, while he met UN Secretary General António Guterres, on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, as well. A day ago, Bloomberg, quoting US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce as saying, reported that a Pakistani delegation will soon meet the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to reach an agreement on a trade deal. In a US Department of State press briefing on Wednesday, Bruce said she will attend the meeting between the Pakistani delegation and US officials. Islamabad is looking forward to the 29% reciprocal tariffs to be lifted that the Trump administration initially levied, Bloomberg said. The South Asian country has proposed to increase imports of soybeans and cotton, while it is already the second-largest buyer of US cotton by value, after China. Whereas, Pakistan's biggest export destination is the United States. Bilateral ties between Pakistan and US have improved in recent times, with Trump's holding a rare meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. The FO stated on July 19 that FM Dar's visit is an indication of Pakistan's increasing importance in both its relations with the US and the global landscape. Moreover, in order to complete a trade agreement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also visited the United States and met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington recently to advance economic cooperation, as per the Ministry of Finance. Reuters last week reported that the negotiations, focused on reciprocal tariffs, are part of a broader push to reset economic ties at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and Pakistan's efforts to avoid steep US duties on exports.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan calls on tech firms to curb terror content
Pakistan has ramped up efforts to counter online extremism by urging international social media companies to take stronger action against terrorist content, while inviting them to establish local offices in the country, senior officials said Friday. 'We are building walls against terrorism, not silencing free speech,' said Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary, during a press briefing outlining Pakistan's new digital security push. He said Pakistan remains a 'global bulwark in the fight against terrorism' and has detected hundreds of terrorism-linked accounts on platforms like Facebook, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). According to the Ministry of Interior, groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) are actively using social media to spread propaganda and recruit youth. The government said 2,417 complaints related to terrorist content are currently under review, and platforms must respond with urgency. 'Social media companies must use AI to swiftly remove terrorist content,' Chaudhary said. Officials noted that the United Nations has banned ISKP and TTP, while the US and UK have designated BLA a terrorist organisation, adding weight to Pakistan's demands. Minister of Law Barrister Aqeel said promoting terrorist ideology is 'a punishable offence under PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act),' and warned that 'offenders will face prosecution.' The government has called on global platforms to block terrorist accounts, share IP data and user metadata with authorities and develop and implement automatic detection and blocking algorithms. To facilitate cooperation, Islamabad invited foreign social media firms to establish offices in Pakistan and support efforts to counteract digital radicalisation. 'Pakistan urges international cooperation to counter digital terrorism threats,' Chaudhary said, adding that the country's call aligns with global security efforts.
