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BIGO LIVE and Likee formally registered with PTA under Pakistan's online content rules

The two live-streaming and short-video apps now have a registered local company that answers to the regulator for complaints and takedowns.

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BIGO LIVE and Likee, two of the most downloaded live-streaming and short-video apps in Pakistan, have been formally registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the regulator said on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

According to PTA, as reported by ARY News, both apps were registered through BIGO Services Pakistan (Private) Limited under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021. These are the rules that require large social media platforms to have a point of contact in Pakistan and to act on the regulator's takedown requests.

What PTA said

  • The registration is meant to strengthen PTA's content monitoring "in collaboration with BIGO LIVE".
  • It should help promote responsible use of the platforms and compliance with Pakistani law.
  • PTA wants closer, regular communication with digital platforms.

BIGO's Pakistan company was among the first to deal with PTA under the 2021 rules: in January 2022 it received registration certificates for BIGO LIVE, Likee and Snack Video.

What it means for you

If you use BIGO LIVE or Likee, nothing changes in the app. What changes is the route for complaints: content that breaks Pakistani law, such as harassment, blackmail or fraud, can now be reported to PTA, which passes it to a registered company in Pakistan rather than an overseas office. PTA's complaint portal is at pta.gov.pk.

The bigger picture

PTA has been pushing every large platform towards local registration and faster takedowns. TikTok, the biggest of them, removed more than 23 million videos in Pakistan in April to June this year. On the same day as the BIGO announcement, PTA also had to deny a fake notification claiming TikTok had been banned.

If you buy coins or gifts on these apps with mobile balance, remember that top-ups are taxed: our mobile load tax calculator shows how much of each recharge you actually get.

Frequently asked questions

Is BIGO LIVE legal in Pakistan?
Yes. PTA said on 5 November 2026 that BIGO LIVE and Likee are formally registered in Pakistan through BIGO Services Pakistan (Private) Limited.
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Tags:social mediaPTA
Topics:PTA

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