The Ministry of Interior in Pakistan has banned social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing national security concerns. Users started facing difficulties in accessing the platform since mid-February, despite widespread reports of platform unavailability, both the government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority have remained silent.
The Ministry of Interior claimed that this decision is necessary to protect national security, maintain public order and protect the integrity of the country.
The Ministry of Interior cited confidential reports from intelligence agencies, alleging that hostile elements on X intend to incite chaos and destabilize the country.
Activists have criticized the ban, alleging it aims to suppress dissent following contentious general elections on February 8, marked by accusations of vote rigging and protests. The shutdown of mobile services on election day, coupled with reports of X’s inaccessibility, further fueled speculation about government censorship.
However, intermittent access persists, prompting users to resort to virtual private networks. despite legal challenges, the Sindh High Court has ordered the government to restore access to the platform within a week.