Pakistan Admits Blocking Social Media Platform X; ‘World Must Laugh At Us’, Says Court

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday confirmed that it had ordered for blocking social media platform X in February over national security concerns.

According to Reuters, the ministry, in a written submission, said, “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 decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation,” the report added.

Sindh high court, which was hearing multiple petitions challenging the ban, asked the government to restore X within a week. “What are you (Interior Ministry) achieving via shutting down trivial things… The world must laugh at us,” Geo News quoted Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi as saying.

If the government fails to do so, appropriate orders will be passed on the next date, Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer challenging the ban, told AFP.

Social media users in Pakistan have been unable to access X since mid-February after jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party called for nationwide protests against alleged rigging in the general elections. It was then suspected that the government had blocked the social media platform.