Days after claiming that social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was accessible to online users, Information Minister Atta Tarar has admitted that popular social networking app is suspended in the country.
In a local news interview on 18 March 2023, Atta Tarar mentioned Twitter’s pre-existing ban without official notification.
The info minister emphasized creating a charter with social media rules and suggested parties discuss boundaries.
He expressed his annoyance over allegation against women, abuses, misbehaviour & smear campaign against martyrs’ sacrifices on the social media.
On March 13, Tarar declined to answer the journalist’s query regarding the reason behind X’s continued suspension in Pakistan.
“Twitter [X] is working,” the federal minister had claimed, “Tweets are being posted on Twitter too. If there is a [official] notification calling for the closure of [Twitter] then you can show it to me. We can discuss it.”
The social media platform X, a key information source, has been unavailable in Pakistan to millions since its suspension before the February 8 election.
Despite court orders for uninterrupted access, netizens continue facing disruptions accessing social media, including sporadic hindrances on polling day.
Human rights activists and organizations demanded the prompt restart of X due to rising internet shutdowns and social media blocks on March 13.
Rights activists launched #InternetKholo campaign to address arbitrary platform blocking, urging government action for X restoration.
The statement criticized PTA for silence, failing to give reasons, and overstepping its mandate by blocking a whole internet platform.
