X working with Pakistan govt to 'understand concerns' over ban
Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has been facing a ban in Pakistan since February 17, resulting in limited accessibility for users. The ban was imposed following calls for protests by Imran Khan's party after allegations of vote manipulation in the February election. X has now expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Pakistani government to address its concerns regarding security issues. This move comes after the Interior Ministry confirmed that the ban was implemented on security grounds. Despite challenges to the ban in various courts, including the Islamabad High Court and the Sindh High Court, the platform remains inaccessible to users in Pakistan. While the Sindh High Court has ordered the government to restore access to X within a week, the final decision is pending. The government's stance, as articulated by the Interior Ministry, emphasizes its authority to make decisions regarding national security, suggesting that intelligence agencies may have influenced the ban. However, digital rights activists argue that the ban is an attempt to suppress dissent following the controversial February 8 polls. Despite sporadic availability through certain internet service providers and the use of virtual private networks by some users, the ban on X continues to impact social media users in Pakistan. Mobile services were also disrupted across the country on election day for similar security reasons. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders await further developments regarding the ban on X and its implications for freedom of expression and access to information in Pakistan.
By: Sahiba Suri
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