Attaullah Tarar, the minister of information, revealed on Monday that social networking platform X was already blocked when the new administration took over from the caretaker arrangement. However, he claimed there had not been any formal notice given for the suspension.
Since February 17, when former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha charged Pakistan’s chief election commissioner and chief justice of meddling in the February 8 federal elections, access to X has been restricted in various regions of the country.
During the general elections, there were likewise such disturbances.
Last week, the minister of information had recanted his earlier claims that X was still operational and urged anyone who had doubts to provide documentation supporting the ban.
But Tarar contradicted himself in a recent interview with World Echo News, adding, “Twitter was already banned when we came into government.” Although it hasn’t been officially announced, it’s evident to all that its frequency and signal are malfunctioning and that it’s being utilized for virtual private networks. That’s right.
The minister of communication proposed drafting a charter outlining the “dos and don’ts of the red lines that should not be crossed,” noting that political parties have to address topics like the slander and denigration of women by sexists, the cursing and mocking of martyrs, and so forth.
“I believe a charter is necessary, and it will be beneficial if it is implemented.”
When asked about press freedom in general and the recent detention of journalist Asad Ali Toor in particular, the minister responded, “I am a political activist at the ground level and have always been present with you.” I would like to carry out my responsibilities in terms of journalism and freedom of expression to the fullest.
When asked if the federal government intended to introduce a law addressing “fake news” or if the Punjab government planned to do the same, Tarar responded that it would be preferable for political parties to resolve disputes amongst themselves regarding how to handle the problem rather than having the state handle it.
Additionally, he stated that discussions with the Sunni Ittehad Council were both possible and desirable. He also commended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for his actions in fostering a conciliatory environment.
“Hopefully, things can move forward in a positive way with them,” Tarar continued.
Regarding the disruption of X, PTA spokeswoman Malahat Obaid advised Dawn.com to contact the interior ministry with any inquiries. We don’t know enough to make any statements at this time on this issue. I’ll let you know if I hear anything,” she said.
When asked why the ministry should be contacted when internet access was under the PTA’s jurisdiction, she responded, “Because the instructions are from the government,” declining to clarify if the interior ministry had sent a letter to the relevant authorities requesting that access to X be restricted.
Government asked to bring back X
Amnesty International demanded on Saturday that social media platform X be brought back up immediately.
The human rights group called on “Pakistani authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and access to information under the country’s international human rights commitments” and announced in a post on X that it had signed a joint statement with 28 civil society organizations for the restoration of X.
Amnesty International and civil society organizations jointly signed a statement urging the platform’s prompt restoration. As a group of civil society organizations and human rights advocates, we are extremely concerned about the growing number of cases of social media platform blocking and internet shutdowns, particularly in the days before and after Pakistan’s general elections.
“These actions set a troubling precedent of throttling genuine political discourse including plurality of voices in the country, in addition to violating the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information.”
It stated that the arbitrary platform blocking—which includes the protracted, unexpected disruption of “X,” previously Twitter, since February 17—is a sobering example of the nation’s expanding digital censorship.
Amnesty International, the Pakistan Bar Council, PFUJ, AGHS, Bolo Bhi, Media Matters for Democracy, the Digital Rights Foundation, the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development, Human Rights Watch, Freedom Network, the Pakistan Press Foundation, Bytes for All, the HRCP, the Women Democratic Front, Access Now, AWP, the Aurat March, the Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan, the Alliance for Diversity and Pluralism in Media in Pakistan, the Pakistan Digital Editors Alliance, the Pakistan Digital Media Association, Progressive Students Federation, Joint Action Committee for Refugees, the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Zuka Books, and Reporters Without Borders all signed the statement.
