Pakistani Social Media Platform ‘X’ Remains Inaccessible; Government Silent on Cause

Pakistanis are facing continued frustration as the popular social media platform ‘X’ remains inaccessible for almost a week, with the caretaker government failing to provide any explanation for the prolonged disruption, Geo News reports.

The shutdown, which began last Saturday, has left users nationwide unable to share information, prompting widespread concerns. Despite calls for clarification, Caretaker Minister for Information and Technology Dr. Umar Saif has remained unavailable for comment, while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue.

Website tracker Downdetector.com has noted reports from users indicating possible issues with ‘X’, underlining the extensive scope of the problem.

Pakistan, despite being a significant user of the internet globally, continues to struggle with internet accessibility, consistently ranking lower than its counterparts. Authorities have been accused of intermittently disrupting access to social media platforms, exacerbating the challenges faced by users.

The situation escalated during the lead-up to the February 8 general elections when users encountered difficulties accessing various social media sites. While authorities initially attributed these disruptions to technical errors, internet shutdowns were implemented on polling day purportedly to prevent terrorism. Unfortunately, these disruptions have persisted, particularly in accessing ‘X’, following the elections.

Such internet shutdowns directly infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed rights, including freedom of information, speech, and association. The Islamabad High Court’s ruling in February 2018 unequivocally declared internet shutdowns as violations of fundamental rights and the Constitution.

Digital rights activists have strongly criticized the government’s lack of transparency in blocking access to the social media platform, emphasizing the importance of accountability and adherence to legal standards.

In a bid to address the issue, the Sindh High Court has ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to fully restore access to ‘X’ across the country. However, the PTA is yet to comply with the court’s directives, prolonging the accessibility problem for users nationwide.