Pakistan has no plans to unban X, blames “Security Concerns”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior ministry has doubled down on its decision to block social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, here on Monday.

As per the details, citing national security concerns, the ministry strongly rejected demands to restore access to X in a written reply submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC).

The government’s response comes amid legal challenges and public criticism of the ban. However, the ministry maintains that X poses a security threat, particularly due to alleged content targeting Pakistani institutions. They insist that the ban was implemented after due legal process.

Pakistan’s interior ministry maintains that the ban on X, despite public outcry, does not violate the constitutional right to freedom of expression. They claim that the content posted on X, specifically targeting national institutions, justifies a ban to prevent potential chaos.

Here is what the Home Ministry’s written reply said:

“Contents against national institutions are uploaded on social media, especially on X, which is a foreign company and has been asked to comply with the law several times. The ministry has temporarily suspended its services. There was no option but to suspend”.

According to the ministry, secret reports from security agencies pointed to X’s role in spreading material that could lead to instability and unrest. They insist that the ban is a preventive measure to protect national interests and maintain public order.

This comes after X, formerly known as Twitter, became difficult to access in Pakistan in mid-February. The timeframe was called for by the PTI party to protest after a controversial admission of vote manipulation by an election official.