The ongoing restriction on X (formerly known as Twitter) in Pakistan has indeed raised significant concerns. The blockage, which started on February 17, 2024, has affected various sectors, including businesses and news agencies. The disruption coincided with the general elections held on February 8, 2024, which were marred by allegations of vote rigging.
Despite the Sindh High Court’s order to restore access to X, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has not enforced the decision. This has led to a contempt case being heard due to the PTA’s failure to implement the directives issued by the Sindh High Court. The Islamabad High Court has also served notices to both the PTA and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding the suspension of X in the country.
Many Pakistanis have resorted to using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions. However, VPN services are not widely accessible in the country.
The U.S. State Department has censured the internet shutdowns and urged the federal government to lift restrictions and respect freedom of expression. Several countries, including the United States, Britain, and the European Union, have expressed concern about the electoral process in Pakistan and have emphasized the need to investigate the reported irregularities.
The situation underscores the importance of digital rights and freedom of expression. It also highlights the need for transparency from the government regarding the reasons for continuing to impose restrictions on the social media platform.
