The caretaker government of Pakistan has opted to postpone the decision regarding the restoration of X (formerly Twitter) in the country, deferring the matter to the incoming administration. This move marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the accessibility of the social media platform.
Government sources informed ProPakistani that the fate of X in Pakistan will now be entrusted to the forthcoming government.
The decision to block X in Pakistan was reportedly prompted by the platform’s alleged failure to comply with local regulations, particularly in addressing the presence of illicit content. Despite some attempts to address flagged material, only a fraction of such content has been effectively managed, leading the government to take action.
Also Read: Govt Blocks X Over “Illegal Content”: Sources
The continued unavailability of X in Pakistan has now surpassed eleven days, raising concerns about the populace’s access to digital communication channels and their freedom of expression. Since its initial blockage on February 17th, users across the country have been unable to access the platform as of February 28th.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has redirected inquiries regarding the potential reinstatement of X to the Interior Ministry. However, as of now, there has been no official response from the ministry on the matter.
Meanwhile, amid the ongoing disruption, many social media users in Pakistan have turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions and gain access to X. However, recent reports indicate that government efforts to block VPNs have impeded users’ ability to circumvent the ban, further aggravating frustrations within the online community.
In the midst of these developments, Pakistan recently conducted general elections on February 8th, 2024. With preparations underway for the inaugural session of the newly elected national assembly, the formation of the new government is expected to occur in the first week of March, adding another layer of complexity to the resolution of the X accessibility issue.
