PTA Registration of Bigo Live and Likee Reported on 4 November 2026: Both Apps Stay Legal
A PTA registration of Bigo Live and Likee was reported on 4 November 2026. Neither app is banned in Pakistan. What it means, the 2020 block and how to report.
PTA has registered Bigo Live and Likee in Pakistan under BIGO Service Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd, according to a report on 4 November 2026. The registration is reported to fall under Pakistan's 2021 online content rules, and PTA is reported to have said it wants to work with BIGO on content moderation. PTA had not posted the announcement on its own website when we checked at about 11 pm on 4 November, so for now this is a reported step, not one we could read at source.
What we can confirm is the bigger point for users. Neither app is blocked in Pakistan. Both were listed on Google Play for Pakistan when we checked the same night. And PTA's own page shows the same company first registered both apps on 14 January 2022.
What was reported on 4 November 2026
The report says PTA "formally registered" Bigo Live and Likee under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021. It quotes PTA as looking forward to "strengthening its collaboration with BIGO to enhance content moderation mechanisms", and to responsible use and compliance with Pakistani law.
The report does not say the apps were blocked before this, and it does not mention any unblocking. It also does not say whether this is a renewal of the 2022 certificate, a new certificate for a new local entity, or a ceremony for the existing one. We could not find a PTA press release or post to settle that. We will update this page when PTA publishes it.
| Date | What happened | Where we read it |
|---|---|---|
| July 2020 | PTA blocked Bigo Live over complaints about content | Reported at the time |
| 30 July 2020 | PTA lifted the Bigo Live ban | Bigo's own release, 1 August 2020 |
| 14 January 2022 | BIGO Service Pakistan registered Bigo Live and Likee with PTA | PTA website |
| 4 November 2026 | PTA registration of Bigo Live and Likee reported | Reported, not yet on PTA's site |
Bigo Live and Likee were not banned before this
Many people searching this week think Bigo Live has only just been allowed. That is not right. PTA blocked Bigo Live in July 2020, and Bigo said in its own release that PTA lifted the ban on 30 July 2020, after the company met PTA and promised to follow Pakistani law. The app has been available since.
We found no PTA notice that ever blocked Likee in Pakistan. So if you already use either app, nothing changes for you today. You do not need a VPN, and you do not need to reinstall.
What PTA registration means for users
Registration under the 2021 rules gives PTA a named company in Pakistan to deal with. The PTA notice of 14 January 2022 says the rules require significant social media companies to register. In plain terms, when PTA decides a stream or video breaks Pakistani law, it has a direct contact to ask for removal.
For you, that means three things:
- Content that breaks PECA, Pakistan's online crimes law, can be removed faster, because PTA can send a request straight to the company.
- The app stays legal to download and use, as long as the company keeps meeting PTA's requests.
- Your own reports still matter. Report a stream inside the app first, then to PTA if it is unlawful.
How to report a Bigo or Likee stream
Inside the app, long press the stream, video or profile and tap Report. That goes to the company's moderators. If the content is unlawful, for example obscene, blasphemous or a threat to someone, you can also complain to PTA through its complaint portal. Include the link and a screenshot.
If someone is blackmailing you with a video or demanding money, do not pay. Report it to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on 1799.
Age rules and safety on both apps
The Google Play listing for Bigo Live in Pakistan says "Rated for 18+". Likee's says "Rated for 12+", although its own terms are reported to need users to be 18 to go live. Both apps sell virtual gifts with real money. The safest way to buy them is inside the app, through Google Play or the App Store, never from a stranger on WhatsApp who asks for a JazzCash or Easypaisa payment first.
Our full guide covers the status, download, age limits, diamond scams and reporting in more detail: Is Bigo Live banned in Pakistan. If you are a streamer comparing platforms, read our guide to TikTok LIVE requirements in Pakistan.
Common questions
Did PTA approve Bigo Live on 4 November 2026?
A PTA registration of Bigo Live and Likee was reported on 4 November 2026. PTA had not posted it on its website when we checked that night.
Was Bigo Live banned in Pakistan until now?
No. PTA blocked it in July 2020 and lifted the ban on 30 July 2020, so it has been available for years.
Is Likee allowed in Pakistan?
Yes. We found no PTA block on Likee, and it has been registered with PTA through BIGO Service Pakistan since 14 January 2022.
Do I need to update or reinstall Bigo Live?
No. Nothing changes for current users. Keep the app updated from the official store as normal.
Which law do the registration rules come from?
The Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content Rules, 2021 were made under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We checked this on 4 November 2026 at about 11 pm PKT. We read the PTA notice of 14 January 2022, PTA's list of press releases (the latest item was dated 1 November 2026), the Google Play listings for Bigo Live and Likee in Pakistan, and Bigo's own release of 1 August 2020. The 4 November registration and PTA's quoted words are as reported, because PTA had not published them.
About the author
Technology Journalist & Multimedia Producer
Ahmad Ali is a technology journalist and multimedia producer at Pakistan Era, joining the team in October 2026. He covers consumer technology and digital life for Pakistani readers, combining research with hands-on product testing.
