ISLAMABAD: For the first time since the services of X, formerly Twitter, were suspended in Pakistan, the social media site issued a statement on the matter on Thursday, stating it continues to work with the relevant authorities regarding their concerns.
“We continue to work with the Pakistani Government to understand their concerns,” read the statement, posted by X’s Global Government Affairs team on their official handle.The social media website, which was bought by American tech billionaire Elon Musk in April 2022, remains suspended in the country since February 17.
The suspension of the website occurred over a week after the general elections in Pakistan on February 8 that triggered debate on the fairness and transparency of the polls. Users reported problems accessing the site, but no official comment was issued by the Pakistan government on the matter.
However, the interior ministry, in its report submitted to the Islamabad High Court in a separate case related to the suspension, maintained that it shut the website following national security concerns in the wake of which the social media platform has issued its statement.
The ministry, in its report to the IHC, stated that the “content uploaded on the internet” is a “threat” to the country’s national security. “The decision to block Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation,” it added.
“It is very pertinent to mention here that the failure of Twitter/X to adhere to the lawful directives of the Government of Pakistan and address concerns regarding the misuse of its platform necessitated the imposition of a ban,” the ministry said in the report.
“X is not registered in Pakistan and is not a party to the agreement to abide by Pakistani laws,” it said.The non-cooperation of X authorities justified regulatory measures against X, including temporary closure, as the government had no other option, it added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh High Court (SHC) a day earlier directed the Ministry of Interior to revoke its letter regarding the suspension of social media platform within one week.
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