Pakistan Imposes Ban on Social Media Platform X, Citing National Security Concerns

Islamabad, July 8, 2024 – The Ministry of Interior has taken a decisive step against the social media giant Twitter (referred to as X) citing threats to national security. The ministry’s action follows a report submitted to the Sindh High Court highlighting X’s potential risks to the country’s security infrastructure.
In response to queries, the Ministry of Interior clarified that the decision was necessary to safeguard the rights of Pakistani citizens, asserting that all legal requirements were fulfilled before imposing the ban. According to the ministry, the ban on X does not violate Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression but within legal boundaries.
The ministry further explained that X, being a foreign entity, has been repeatedly urged to comply with Pakistani laws, particularly concerning the dissemination of provocative content against national institutions. Despite warnings, X did not align its operations with local regulatory requirements.
The decision to ban X was portrayed as a last resort by the Ministry of Interior, which emphasized that no alternative to the ban existed following reports of X being used to spread instability in the country. The ministry underscored that the ban was crucial for national security and dignity.
Ministry officials pointed out that many countries continue to impose restrictions on social media platforms to uphold their national security interests.