Pakistan Twitter ban: Understanding the reasons behind the absurd decision world News
Pakistan’s recent ban on the social media platform Twitter, now known as X, has sparked significant public discussion and legal scrutiny. A detailed clarification from the Ministry of Interior has been submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) explaining the reasoning behind this controversial measure.
The ban came into effect following allegations by a former government official about possible election manipulation, leading to widespread service disruptions beginning on February 17. The development led to two months of intermittent access to the platform, affecting many users across the country.
The Interior Ministry submitted its report in response to a petition filed by journalist Ehtisham Abbasi, who challenged the legality of the ban. The report was a key part of the latest court hearing presided over by IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq, setting the stage for further legal proceedings to take place in early May.
According to the ministry, the ban was necessary due to Twitter’s non-compliance with Pakistani government directives related to the management of harmful or destabilizing content. The report highlights Twitter’s alleged reluctance to engage with local authorities or establish a legal presence in Pakistan, which, according to the government, has left a regulatory gap that needs to be urgently addressed.
During the court session, it was highlighted that the platform has been uncooperative in dealing with complaints against specific content, potentially undermining Pakistan’s judicial reputation. This included failing to act on requests to block user accounts involved in campaigns against prominent legal figures in the country.
The government claims that the decision to suspend Twitter is in line with the country’s interest in maintaining public order and national security. The report cites constitutional provisions to argue that such measures are within legal limits that permit reasonable restrictions on freedom of expression on the grounds of public order and national integrity.
The ministry’s presentation also draws parallels with other countries that have temporarily restricted access to social media to protect national interests. It referred to a previous instance where Pakistan had lifted the ban on another platform, TikTok, after reaching an agreement on content moderation and compliance with local regulations.
In defense of the ban, the Ministry of Interior requested to dismiss the petition against it, arguing that the action was a reasonable exercise of government authority aimed at regulating the use of social media responsibly and in accordance with Pakistani law. The case continues to evolve, with the Court’s decision eagerly awaited by free speech and digital rights advocates.