Nearly a month after Pakistani authorities quietly imposed a ban on X without any official announcement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar finally acknowledged the ban during the new government’s assumption of power. Tarar confessed during an interview that there had been no formal notification regarding the ban.
Access to X was disrupted by Pakistani authorities on February 17, following accusations from former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha, who alleged the involvement of the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan in vote rigging during the February 8 general elections.
Amid concerns of public outrage over potential election manipulation, Pakistani authorities banned X during the general elections and also shut down internet and telecom services nationwide on February 8.
However, Tarar has recently backtracked on his previous statements, as he claimed last week that X was operational in Pakistan. He challenged those questioning the ban to provide official notification.
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In contradiction to his earlier remarks, Tarar now admits, “Twitter was already banned when we assumed power. Although there’s no official notification, its signal and frequency are disrupted, with users resorting to VPNs. This is evident.”
Tarar stressed the importance of establishing “red lines” that should not be crossed, suggesting that political parties should address issues like misogynistic abuse, cursing, and mocking of martyrs through a charter.
Regarding press freedom in Pakistan, he asserted, “I am a grassroots political activist and have always stood alongside you. I aim to fulfill my role regarding freedom of expression and journalism.”
Asked about the Punjab government’s proposal for legislation to combat “fake news,” Tarar suggested that political parties should resolve such matters rather than rely on state intervention.