X working with Pakistan govt to 'understand concerns' over ban

Social media platform X announced on Thursday that it would collaborate with the Pakistani government to address concerns raised by authorities regarding security issues, marking its first official response since the platform faced disruption in the country.

Formerly known as Twitter, the platform has experienced limited accessibility since February 17, coinciding with calls for protests by the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protests followed revelations of vote manipulation in the February election by a government official.

The Interior Ministry revealed on Wednesday that the platform was blocked due to security reasons, as stated in a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court, where several legal challenges to the ban are currently under review.

Simultaneously, the Sindh High Court issued an order directing the government to restore access to social media platform X within a week.

Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer involved in challenging the ban, informed AFP that "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."

The court's decision regarding this matter is anticipated to be issued within the week.

This move highlights the ongoing legal and regulatory challenges facing social media platforms in Pakistan, where issues related to freedom of expression and government control over online content have been contentious. Social media platforms play a significant role in shaping public discourse and facilitating communication, making their accessibility a matter of public interest and concern.

The outcome of the legal proceedings and the response from social media platform X will likely have implications for internet freedom and digital rights in Pakistan. As debates surrounding online censorship and regulation continue globally, the situation in Pakistan serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics between governments, technology companies, and the public in the digital age.