The disruption of social media platform X in Pakistan has now crossed the one-month mark, prompting concerns regarding access to digital communication and freedom of expression in the nation. X, which was initially blocked on February 17th, continues to remain inaccessible to users across Pakistan as of March 18th.
During this month, X was intermittently unblocked several times, giving users short access periods of about 10 to 15 minutes each time. Many Pakistanis are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access X due to these restrictions.
However, they are facing difficulties as reports emerge suggesting that the government is also blocking VPNs, further limiting users’ ability to bypass the restrictions.
When asked about the status of X by ProPakistani, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told them to contact the Ministry of Interior, which made things more complicated. But when they tried to get more information from the Ministry of Interior, they didn’t get any response, so it’s unclear if the platform is accessible or not.
As the blockage of X in Pakistan enters its second month, questions have arisen regarding its impact on the IT sector.
Dr. Umar Saif, a former IT Minister, shared his view that platforms such as Twitter or the internet shouldn’t be blocked in Pakistan. He stressed the importance of staying connected with young people and the global community. However, he also mentioned the importance of identifying and criticizing those who spread propaganda on social media to keep society in order.
Former Chairman of PASHA, Barkhan Saeed, stated that the blockage of X has minimal impact on the IT industry, as most companies rely on platforms like Facebook and YouTube for advertisement purposes.
However, IT expert Maujeeb Zahoor argued that while larger IT companies may not be significantly affected, the blockage raises concerns about freedom of expression and uncertainty in the IT sector. He warned that the unrest among international companies and investors could have long-term repercussions.
