X is “working” to comprehend the Pakistani government’s “concerns”

The social media platform said it “continues to work” with the appropriate authorities in the nation about their concerns in its first comment since X was suspended in Pakistan in mid-February.

In a post on X, the Global Government Affairs team of the platform stated, “We continue to work with the Pakistani Government to understand their concerns.”

The Pakistani government has blocked X, formerly known as Twitter, since February 17, more than a week after the nation’s general elections, which were won by American internet entrepreneur Elon Musk in April 2022.

Following the polls, there were a ton of discussions on social media about how fair and transparent the polling process was.

Users of X later started complaining that they couldn’t access the website. Nonetheless, the Pakistani government remained silent on the subject.

In a report given to the Islamabad High Court in a related lawsuit on the suspension, the interior minister said that the website was shut down due to national security concerns, which prompted the social media platform to release its statement.

According to the ministry’s report to IHC, “content uploaded on the internet” poses a “threat” to national security in the nation.

It further stated that the decision to prohibit X in Pakistan was made with the intention of defending public order, national security, and national integrity.

It is important to note that X’s refusal to follow the government of Pakistan’s legal requirements and resolve concerns about the improper use of its platform made the installation of a ban necessary, according to the ministry’s report.

It also stated that X is not a party to the agreement to follow Pakistani laws and is not registered in the country.

The Interior Ministry stated that the government had no choice but to take regulatory action against X, including temporary closure, due to the non-cooperation of X officials.

The investigation said that X authorities disregarded and failed to reply to a request from the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime department to delete accounts that propagated the chief justice.

It further stated that X was being utilized as a tool by certain wicked forces to undermine peace and order and foster unrest, and that social media platforms are being exploited indiscriminately for the dissemination of extremist ideologies and false information.

According to the ministry, the goal of the X restriction is to encourage law-abiding, responsible use of social networking sites.

It also stated that it is in charge of maintaining national stability and defending Pakistani citizens. The government had previously banned TikTok, a social media site; however, the restriction was later overturned after TikTok agreed to follow Pakistani law.

Several nations worldwide have outlawed social media sites for security-related grounds, according to the research.

On February 17, 2024, the Interior Ministry issued directives for the shutdown of X at the request of intelligence agencies.

Citing the plea submitted in court disputing the suspension, it stated that the application against the closure of X is against the law and facts, is not acceptable, and should be dismissed.

But the Ministry of Interior was ordered to retract its letter on the social media platform’s suspension by the Sindh High Court (SHC) a day earlier. The deadline was set at one week.