PaperDabba News Desk: July 19, 2024
For security reasons, Pakistan has temporarily banned ‘X’ and is reportedly targeting other social media platforms as well. Over the past two days, users have faced difficulties accessing Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, some users have reported problems accessing Meta apps like WhatsApp. These recent developments suggest that Pakistan might prepare for a more extensive ban on social media platforms nationwide in the coming days.
Restrictions Amid Political Tensions
The social media ban comes amid heightened political tension involving the Supreme Court, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party, and the military. This conflict backdrop likely contributed to the government’s decision to impose these bans. However, the Pakistani government has not yet issued any official statement regarding these restrictions.
Punjab Government’s Request
The Punjab state government, led by Maryam Nawaz, has requested the central government to ban all social media platforms, including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The state government argues that these measures are necessary to control the spread of misinformation that could incite violence. Consequently, users have faced difficulties accessing Facebook and Instagram for the past two days. Nayatel, a telecommunications company, confirmed these issues.
Historical Context of Social Media Bans
In February, during the elections, the government temporarily suspended ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). This ban has now been extended for six months. Given the current political climate, further restrictions on social media platforms are anticipated.
The social media landscape in Pakistan is undergoing significant changes, affecting millions of users. As the country navigates through its political and security challenges, the impact on digital communication remains to be seen.
