Pakistan’s Information Minister, Atta Tarar, has defended the ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing national security concerns rather than restrictions on free speech.
Speaking to Voice of America, Mr. Tarar explained that the interim government imposed the restriction ahead of general elections scheduled for February 8. He said the ban was due to concerns over X’s compliance with government directives.
Mr. Tarar claimed that separatist and militant groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have used X to spread anti-state messages. He added that some militants have used the platform to broadcast attacks live. “Militants are misusing social media platforms,” he said.
The minister noted that the matter is currently before the courts, with the Ministry of Interior having responded to ongoing legal proceedings. He added that the government has asked X to remove content deemed anti-state, emphasizing a need for tighter regulation of social media platforms.
Mr. Tarar proposed establishing a Digital Rights Protection Authority, which would allow citizens to lodge complaints about online content. While he personally supports lifting the ban on X, he insisted it should only happen if the platform adheres to government guidelines.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Interior imposed the X ban on February 17. Local journalist Ehtisham Abbasi subsequently filed a petition in the High Court challenging the decision.
Although access to X has been partially restored on several occasions, it has not been fully reinstated. Several petitions against the ban remain under review in court, with no official orders issued to lift or ease the restrictions.