InShort :
- Ban on ‘X’ imposed 4 weeks before
- No official statement from given
- Amnesty International call for immediate action to reverse the trend of digital censorship in Pakistan.
Amnesty International, alongside a coalition of human rights activists and civil society organizations, has demanded the immediate reinstatement of social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, which has been inaccessible in the country since February 17.
The platform’s unavailability ensued after the resignation of former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha, who cited alleged “election rigging” in the Rawalpindi division. This ban followed the disruption of mobile phone services on February 8, coinciding with election day.
The statement from the international non-governmental human rights organization underscores the adverse effects of internet shutdowns and social media platform bans on political discourse and the dissemination of information, especially during crucial electoral periods.
The absence of transparency in the decision-making process surrounding network shutdowns and platform blocks, coupled with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) silence, has deepened mistrust between the state and its citizens, Amnesty International noted.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about reported throttling of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), exacerbating limitations on information access and privacy rights.
Amnesty International and its allies advocate for immediate action to reverse the trend of digital censorship in Pakistan. Specifically, they urge the government to lift the ban on platform X, revoke censorship-enabling laws such as Section 37 of The Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA), and ensure transparency in decisions affecting internet usage.
Moreover, they demand clarification on the legal basis for recent platform blockages and a commitment to upholding international obligations regarding freedom of expression and information access.
The incoming government, regulators, and public bodies are urged to acknowledge the lasting repercussions of actions that impede information flow and citizens’ ability to engage politically. As Pakistan enters its fourth week of social media disruption, activists continue their legal efforts to restore access to platform X.
Pakistan entered on Saturday its fourth week of nationwide disruption to social media platform X, with activists waging a court battle to get it restored.
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