By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has banned social media platform X on national security grounds after separatists and terrorists used it to promote anti-state activities, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday.
“Separatists and terrorists were using the platform against Pakistan, which cannot be allowed,” Tarar told Voice of America. “Terrorists, including those from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), even broadcast their terrorist activities live on X without any checks.”
The minister clarified that the ban on the social media platform is not intended to curb freedom of expression.
“As Pakistanis, we can request X’s management to remove anti-state content uploaded by terrorists,” he said. “There must be a system to regulate social media; a web management system is already in place.”
Pakistan blocked X in February, citing compliance issues and intelligence agency reports just after the controversial February polls.
The government informed the provincial Sindh High Court (SHC) in March that X was blocked till further orders.
Tarar said the ban was imposed by the caretaker government before February’s general elections due to compliance issues.
“The matter of the ban on X is sub judice and the interior ministry has already filed its reply in the court regarding that.”
The minister said Pakistan needs a dedicated digital rights protection authority to address public grievances. The federal cabinet has drafted legislation for the authority but temporarily deferred it, awaiting input from stakeholders.
“The cabinet has sought suggestions from media houses, journalist organisations, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, and political parties to ensure effective legislation,” Tarar added.
He also advocated lifting the ban on [Platform X], conditional on improved compliance. “We believe the ban can be removed if the platform resolves its compliance issues.”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
