X (Formerly Twitter) Now Accessible Again in Pakistan
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is back online in Pakistan after a seven-month ban. The reinstatement follows a decision by the Sindh High Court, confirmed by a PTA lawyer, who announced that the initial letter requesting the ban from February has been withdrawn.
The ban was imposed earlier this year due to allegations of election fraud and was part of broader disruptions faced by social media users leading up to the general elections on February 8. During the election period, citizens experienced severe access issues and a complete internet shutdown on election day, justified by the caretaker government as a measure to prevent terrorism.
While X is now accessible, it’s still unclear if the ban has been lifted permanently or if further restrictions might be imposed. The Sindh High Court has postponed hearings on other petitions related to X’s closure for two weeks. Concerns have been raised about how these disruptions potentially violate fundamental rights guaranteed by Pakistan’s constitution, including freedom of information, speech, and association. Critics argue that such measures undermine democratic processes and restrict citizens’ ability to freely access and share information.
