In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistani government has officially blocked social media platform X across the country. This decision, which came into effect in February 2024, has ignited heated debates and raised questions about freedom of expression, cultural preservation, and national security. Let’s delve into the details of this contentious move.
X, formerly known as Twitter, has been a ubiquitous part of Pakistan’s digital world. From political discussions to personal musings, it has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse. However, recent events have prompted authorities to take drastic action.
On April 17, 2024, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry confirmed the long-suspected shutdown of X saying it ordered the temporary blockage in February due to concerns about its misuse. The ban applies to all forms of communication, including written texts, spoken language, and online platforms.
But why did Pakistan take such a drastic step?
- Cultural Preservation: Officials argue that banning X is essential for preserving Pakistan’s cultural heritage. They believe that excessive use of foreign terms dilutes the richness of the Urdu language.
- National Security: The government alleges that X has been misused by extremist groups to communicate covertly. By blocking it, they aim to mitigate potential security threats.
- Social Harmony: Advocates of the ban contend that X creates divisions among linguistic communities. Removing it from public discourse could promote social cohesion.
Judiciary’s take on this event
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry gave a confirmation regarding the ban in a written court submission. “It is very pertinent to mention here that the failure of Twitter/X to adhere to the lawful directives of the government of Pakistan and address concerns regarding the misuse of its platform necessitated the imposition of a ban,” Reuters quoted. “The decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation”, the report said.
The Sindh High Court slammed the decision to shut down X and ordered the government to restore the platform within a week. SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, while hearing multiple petitions on the suspension of the social media platform erstwhile called Twitter, said, “What are you (pointing towards Interior Ministry) achieving via shutting down trivial things… The world must laugh at us,” as reported by Geo News.
The US State Department comes in support of this order as it exhorts the right to internet access ignoring comments on whether Washington had raised the issue with Pakistan. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters “As a general matter, we want internet platforms to be available to people in Pakistan and around the world,”.
Pakistan’s communications authority has officially confirmed in court papers after several users reported problems using X in Pakistan since mid-February, but the government made no formal announcements, that it was ordered by the Interior Ministry to shut down the site. “The Sindh High Court has given the government one week to withdraw the letter, failing which, on the next date, they will pass appropriate orders,” Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer told AFP.
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