New government to decide future of X in Pakistan

The caretaker government of Pakistan has deferred the decision on restoring access and future of X (formerly Twitter) to the incoming administration, marking a significant development in the ongoing accessibility saga. Sources within the government indicate that the fate of X in Pakistan will now be determined by the upcoming government, as per official statements.

X had been blocked in Pakistan due to alleged non-compliance with local regulations, particularly concerning the presence of illegal content on the platform. Despite efforts by the authorities, only a fraction of the flagged content has been effectively dealt with, prompting the government to take action and defer the decision to the incoming administration.

The unavailability of X in Pakistan has extended beyond eleven days, sparking concerns about the populace’s access to digital communication and freedom of expression. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has redirected inquiries regarding X’s restoration to the Interior Ministry, but as of yet, there has been no official response.

In response to the ban, social media users in Pakistan have resorted to using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions on X access. However, government efforts to block VPNs have hindered circumvention attempts, further complicating the situation.

The timing of this decision coincides with the general elections held in Pakistan on February 8th, 2024, with preparations for the formation of a new government currently underway. The inaugural session of the newly elected national assembly is anticipated to take place in the first week of March, adding complexity to the resolution of the X accessibility issue. As the country awaits further developments, the issue of digital communication and freedom of expression remains at the forefront of public discourse.