A significant update on the restoration of social networking platform X in Pakistan

Since the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the platform’s international management have not been able to come to an agreement, it is unlikely that social media network X will be restored in Pakistan right away.

Sources claim that PTA has chosen not to restore the service on its own without specific orders from the government or the courts.

Despite numerous correspondences, PTA officials told SAMAA that X had not complied with local rules or registered in Pakistan. A settlement is not possible, according to the regulatory body, because the platform’s policies are in violation of Pakistani laws.

PTA also said that the platform was shut on February 17, 2024, in response to orders from the Ministry of Interior, which raised concerns about unlawful content on the internet. No official appeal for service restoration was filed, and X did not comply with repeated demands to restrict or remove such content.

PTA further explained that the Ministry of Interior has not given any directives for X’s reinstatement, which has increased doubts about if or when the platform would be available in Pakistan once more.