An important ally of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has demanded the government to lift a two-month-old ban on the social media platform X, citing violations of citizens' right to speech and expression. The ban on X was implemented in February following a nationwide protest by the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, alleging election rigging before Sharif came to power on Feb. 8.
The Pakistan People's Party, a key coalition member supporting Sharif's government, called for the immediate lifting of the ban on X, known as Twitter. The party emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and freedom of speech.
The government initially provided conflicting reasons for the ban, citing national security, public order, and the nation's integrity. However, a court in Karachi recently ordered the government to reverse the ban following petitions from human rights activists.
Despite the restrictions, many Pakistanis have been using VPN software to bypass the block on X, with intermittent access to the platform. Human rights advocates are pushing for a complete end to the ban, emphasizing the importance of free access to information.
The controversy surrounding the ban escalated after X stated its engagement with Pakistan to address concerns. The government has expressed concerns about social media being used to defame national institutions, particularly the military and judiciary, which have faced criticism from Imran Khan.
There is a perception among some that powerful forces within Pakistan are influencing the ban, prompting calls for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to demonstrate his authority by lifting the restrictions on X. The United States has also joined the chorus, urging Pakistan to remove limitations on the social media platform.
