Pakistan’s X Ban Crosses One-Month Mark. The ongoing ban on social media platform X in Pakistan has now surpassed a month, raising concerns about digital communication access and freedom of expression. X was initially blocked on February 17th and remains inaccessible as of March 18th.
During this period, X was briefly restored multiple times, but access was limited to short intervals of 10 to 15 minutes. In response, many Pakistanis are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access X.
However, users are encountering challenges as reports indicate that the government is also blocking VPNs, making it even harder to bypass the restrictions and access the platform.
Pakistan’s X Restrictions Near 1-Month Mark
When pakistanalerts inquired about the status of X, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) redirected inquiries to the Ministry of Interior, adding complexity to the situation. However, attempts to seek clarification from the Ministry of Interior yielded no response, leaving the accessibility of the platform uncertain.
As the blockage of X in Pakistan enters its second month, concerns have been raised about its impact on the IT sector. Pakistan’s X Ban Crosses One-Month Mark. Former Minister of IT, Dr. Umar Saif, personally opined that no platform like Twitter or the internet should be banned in Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of connectivity with the youth and the global community. However, he also suggested that individuals spreading propaganda through social media should be identified and criticized to maintain social order.
Pakistan’s X Restrictions Near 1-Month
Former Chairman of PASHA, Barkhan Saeed, mentioned that the blockage of X has minimal impact on the IT industry, as most companies rely on platforms like Facebook and YouTube for advertisement purposes.
However, IT expert Maujeeb Zahoor argued that while larger IT companies may not be significantly affected, the blockage raises concerns about freedom of expression and uncertainty in the IT sector. He warned that the unrest among international companies and investors could have long-term repercussions.
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IT expert Dr. M Rafi emphasized the significant impact of the blockage of X in Pakistan, particularly on industries reliant on the internet and social media for marketing and customer engagement. He highlighted that social media is not merely for messaging but also plays a crucial role in business operations, and its disruption is negatively impacting the industry.