Pakistan bans X over alleged 'misuse'

Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, on behalf of the ministry, submitted a report in court in response to a petition challenging the ban on the social media platform, reported The Express Tribune.

The report also asked the court to dismiss the petition stating that ‘no right of the petitioner has been deprived’.

The report maintained 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”. It added that the petition against the closure of X is contrary to law and facts, the newspaper reported.

The FIA Cybercrime Wing had requested X to ban accounts that were propagating against the chief justice, the report said.

It noted that X officials ignored the requests of the FIA Cybercrime Wing and did not respond, following which the decision to temporarily close the site was taken.

The report stated that at the request of intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Interior issued orders for the closure of X on February 17, 2024, aimed at safeguarding the national security and law and order situation.

“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," said the report.