After 9 Days, X Remains Dysfunctional In Pakistan

The ongoing disruption of the social media platform X in Pakistan has now surpassed nine days, raising serious concerns about digital communication access and freedom of expression within the country. X, which encountered a block on February 17th, remains inaccessible to users across Pakistan as of February 26th.

Efforts to seek clarification on the status of X from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) led to redirection of the inquiry to the Ministry of Interior, adding complexity to the situation. Similarly, attempts to obtain information from Ministry of IT officials yielded no response, leaving the platform’s accessibility shrouded in uncertainty.

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Amid the disruption, Pakistani social media users have resorted to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as a workaround to access X (Twitter). However, reports indicate that government measures to block VPNs are hindering users’ ability to bypass restrictions, heightening frustration within the online community.

The initial block on Twitter in Pakistan stemmed from allegations of electoral irregularities made by Liaquat Ali Chatta, the former chief commissioner of Rawalpindi, following the general elections on February 8th.

Attempting to address the situation, the Sindh High Court (SHC) issued directives last Thursday, urging authorities to restore access to social media platform X and ensure uninterrupted service nationwide. However, despite the court’s orders, implementation remains elusive, prolonging the period of restricted access and deepening concerns over digital rights.

As the disruption persists, stakeholders closely monitor developments, advocating for a resolution that upholds principles of open communication and respects the democratic fabric of society. This ongoing saga underscores the evolving governance dynamics in the digital age and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights in online spaces.