Internet freedom in Pakistan

The interior ministry has decided to “temporarily suspend mobile services” tomorrow in parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on account of Pakistan Day (March 23rd)

Sources told ARY News that the ministry has taken the decision in light of the “deteriorating security situation”.

The mobile services will be temporarily suspended in the areas adjacent to the parade ground in Shakar Parian and some parts of Rawalpindi. “Phone services will remain suspended from 6am to 2pm,” sources claimed.



ARY News
LoL. This is a joke and has been a norm in Pakistan now. Banana republic proved.
 
To support Pakistan's digital rise, the country should reconsider its decision and lift the ban on Twitter immediately.
 
To support Pakistan's digital rise, the country should reconsider its decision and lift the ban on Twitter immediately.
China is a digital behemoth they don't have twitter .
One app that too X doesn’t make a difference.

If google , Linkedin or cloud services were banned that would be a whole lot different.
Even Insta is more useful than X.
 
For 38 days now X (Twitter) remains blocked in Pakistan.
Nothing illustrates the pathetic, incompetent clowns more than banning twitter and then personally using VPNs to post on it. Surely this level of stupidity can't continue or maybe it can.
 
To support Pakistan's digital rise, the country should reconsider its decision and lift the ban on Twitter immediately.
Ban the govt is claiming its not stopped or banned. Munshi said it was just a little slow🤔🤔, how dare you accuse the clown of lying
 
Ban the govt is claiming its not stopped or banned. Munshi said it was just a little slow🤔🤔, how dare you accuse the clown of lying
Why would they tell the truth when the whole game is being played for them so they can avoid being exposed in front of the public.

We r not living the democracy its more like a marshall law.
 
Elon Musk must be crying somewhere :ROFLMAO:
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned on Wednesday the interior secretary on April 17 over the closure of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) suspension.

Chief Justice (IHC) Aamer Farooq expressed displeasure with the report submitted by the interior ministry on the issue during the hearing.

The joint secretary of interior appeared before court today and informed that X had been closed following a report from the security agencies.

Expressing his displeasure, the judge reminded the secretary that the ministry was to submit it in writing. "What is this attitude? You did not bring any file or any document."

Justice Farooq added that there will be no verbal conversation and everything should be in writing.

The joint secretary informed CJ that there was a threat to the country's security. “I did not ask you to give a speech, give me the reasons, I can talk more than you, my secretary will make a better report than this, I will not listen in this manner," said the judge.

“The report states that content against national security is uploaded and therefore X is blocked,” the joint secretary replied.

CJ stated that there must be some evidence or X was suspended on the basis of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report, adding that there are no reasons mentioned in the report.

The court summoned the interior secretary and sought other court decisions on the matter, stating “Let's see which court decides first, let's see if the cases are pending in other courts, then who hears it first”.

The court further sought reasons and evidence related to any threat in writing and summoned the interior secretary in person at the next hearing scheduled for April 17. The hearing was then adjourned.

Earlier the IHC also issued notices to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Ministry of Information on a petition challenging the suspension of X.

The platform was blocked soon after the then Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of engaging in 'rigging,' a charge refuted by both the electoral watchdog and the Chief Justice. The social media app had earlier been suspended during the run-up to the February 8 polls.

The petition named the information ministry and the PTA as respondents. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the plea and inquired if the social media platform was still suspended in the country.

The petition further said the undeclared suspension of the social media platform violates Article 19 of the Constitution and prayed to the court to issue directives to the respondents for the immediate lifting of the ban.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
Day 52: The popular social media app X (Twitter) remains blocked in Pakistan.
 
The cat is out of the bag and makes no difference. The irony of these idiots using VPNs to get around their own band isn't lost anyone. Apparently the plan is for the shiit show to go on for the next 10 years
 
Still trying to understand what the hell they are achieving by banning X in Pakistan when everyone is still using with VPNs.

Your mistake is assuming that these fascists employ rationality in their decision-making process. It's more likely that they're either too stubborn to reverse the ban or fear public backlash, a common trait among unelected authoritarian regimes.
 
Your mistake is assuming that these fascists employ rationality in their decision-making process. It's more likely that they're either too stubborn to reverse the ban or fear public backlash, a common trait among unelected authoritarian regimes.
Public backlash would be even stronger now which the authorities already know about. PTI is also going for the protest so at this point in time they won't lift the ban for sure.
 
Pakistan High Court Orders Government To Restore X Within 1 Week

A Pakistan High Court on Wednesday said the government must restore social media platform X within one week, a lawyer said, after more than two months of disruption ordered by the interior ministry.

The platform, formerly known as Twitter, has been rarely accessible since February 17, when jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party called for protests against a government official's admission of vote manipulation in February's election.

Pakistan's communications authority later admitted in court papers that it was ordered by the Interior Ministry to shut down the site.

"The Sindh High Court has given the government one week to withdraw the letter, failing which, on the next date, they will pass appropriate orders," Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer challenging the ban, told AFP.

 

The Real Reason Why X Has Been Banned by The Interior Ministry​


The Interior Ministry has presented a comprehensive report to the Islamabad High Court regarding the blockage of social media platform X.

The report sheds light on the legal and factual discrepancies in the application opposing the blockage of X, emphasizing that X is not registered in Pakistan and does not adhere to Pakistani laws.

This lack of compliance with government regulations has necessitated the imposition of restrictions to safeguard national security.

According to the report, the primary objective behind the ban on X is to prevent its misuse as a platform for disseminating extremist ideologies and false information, rather than impeding freedom of expression. The Ministry’s decision to take action against X is rooted in its commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring national security.

Furthermore, the report reveals that X’s non-compliance with Pakistani laws led to its blockage. The Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber crimes wing had requested X to block accounts involved in spreading misleading propaganda against the Chief Justice of Pakistan, a request that went unanswered by X.

According to the report, recent development comes in the wake of the government’s efforts to regulate social media platforms, with agreements in place to uphold Pakistani laws. The ban on X aligns with security considerations and is not in violation of constitutional rights.

In response to the court, the Interior Ministry has clarified that the request to block X does not infringe upon fundamental rights and can be dismissed in the initial stages.

The Ministry’s stance underscores that the ban on X aims to promote responsible use of social media platforms in compliance with the law, reinforcing its dedication to safeguarding citizens’ rights and national security. This decisive action against X marks a significant step towards achieving these crucial objectives.

 
The Interior Ministry laying it out Pakistani High Courts boundaries pretty clearly there. Their job is to rubber stamp the establishment, not worry about individual freedom.
 
Over 17 political trends on ‘X’ flagged ‘sensitive’

More than 17 political trends on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter) have been flagged as sensitive, authorities revealed on Wednesday.

According to officials from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), a report has been compiled following three months of meticulous monitoring of social media activities, particularly focusing on trends that could potentially incite riots or promote extremist ideologies, including "terrorism and communalism."

The findings of the report shed light on how political trends often targeted crucial events such as general elections and national security institutions, hinting at a concerning trend of online agitation and misinformation campaigns.

Moreover, the report highlighted that a major portion of the anti-national rhetoric observed on social media originated from individuals residing abroad.

Punjab police and prominent figures were reportedly subjected to undue criticism within these trending topics, with nine trends identified as having communal undertones.

Similarly, ten trends were monitored relating to nationalism, with specific mentions of Balochistan and Gwadar.

In response to these revelations, officials from the CTD have vowed to take decisive action against individuals found to be instigating unrest through social media platforms. As part of their efforts, the CTD has already taken measures to block 2,836 pages and websites deemed to be contributing to the propagation of discord online.

Furthermore, authorities have identified two new organisations that have been actively involved in disseminating content through social media channels.


Tribune
 
X working with Pakistan govt to ‘understand concerns’ over ban

Social media platform X said Thursday it would work with Pakistan’s government “to understand its concerns” after authorities said an ongoing two-month ban was based on security grounds.

“We continue to work with the Pakistani Government to understand their concerns,” X’s Global Government Affairs team posted, in their first comments since the site was disrupted.

The platform, formerly known as Twitter, has been rarely accessible since February 17, when the PTI called for protests following a government official’s admission of vote manipulation in the February election.

The Interior Ministry on Wednesday said X was blocked on security grounds, according to a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court where one of several challenges to the ban is being heard.

On the same day, the Sindh High Court ordered the government to restore access to social media platform X within a week.

“The Sindh High Court has given the government one week to withdraw the letter, failing which, on the next date, they will pass appropriate orders,” Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer challenging the ban, told AFP.

The court’s decision is expected to be published this week.

 
Does X really care about the concerns of Pakistan's government? I don't think so
 

X Ban is in The “Best Interests of Pakistan”: Ishaq Dar​


According to a report by VOA, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has defended the government’s decision to restrict access to the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. Dar asserted that it falls within the “best interests of Pakistan” to undertake measures deemed beneficial for the country’s welfare.

Dar compared X’s restriction in Pakistan with TikTok’s situation in the US, as the country is threatening to ban the viral social media app unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company. The US justifies this move by citing data security concerns, claiming that TikTok is stealing private American data.

The Foreign Minister said:

May I ask those countries that they also have put [a] ban on certain apps … so, one country is OK, and Twitter banned in Pakistan is not OK? Surely, the country will take its own decision in the light of different reasons, which were the basis of — you know — putting it off [suspending it].

The Sindh High Court issued a directive on Wednesday, granting the government a one-week ultimatum to lift the ban. The ban, purportedly imposed by the interior ministry in the name of national security, public order, and the nation’s integrity, faced scrutiny from the judiciary.

Notably, the court highlighted the absence of reasons provided by the ministry for the platform’s blockade and its failure to adhere to established protocols for restricting harmful online content.

 
‘Over half of Pakistan does not have access to internet’

Over half of the country’s population does not have access to internet, but districts that perform better on digital transformation are also among the better performing areas in terms of human development, reveals the first-ever Digital Development Index (DDI) report, released on Tuesday.

Prepared in the collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the report is part of the National Human Development Report 2024, which was launched by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The report placed the country in the ‘moderate’ category in terms of digital development and noted that women are underserved by digital development and 83.5pc of whom claimed their spouse or parents dictate their phone ownership.

According to the report, digital development in Pakistan’s richest quintile was 15-fold greater than the poorest quintile, meaning that wealth is a huge marker of the digital development.

Islamabad is the district with ‘very high’ digital development, followed by Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Haripur and Abbottabad in the ‘high’ category.

It showed a strong correlation between districts that perform better on digital transformation and those having the higher human development outcomes.

The country has a low Human Development Index rank of 164 out of 193 countries, coupled with a Gender Inequality Index position of 135 out of 166 countries.

The digital divides further exacerbate poor development outcomes, the report noted.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Iqbal claimed the government was committed to harnessing the benefits of technological innovation to improve livelihood prospects, accelerate financial inclusion, improve employment, and deliver efficient public services.

Recognizing digital access as a fundamental necessity in the modern era, akin to essential services like electricity, healthcare, and education, the minister stressed the government’s responsibility to bridge the digital divide across all regions.

UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director Regional for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja said that over 60pc of the population in Asia-Pacific was online, with women and marginalised groups being significantly underrepresented.

“Pakistan is the sixth largest contributor to the global middle-class growth between 2022 to 2030, contributing 25 million,” she said.

“Targeted digital transformation efforts for this growing middle class could greatly improve the country’s productivity,” she said.

UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk said: “Our ambition is to contribute to a future-oriented Pakistan where digital transformation becomes a hallmark of its inclusion, and a cornerstone for its prosperity”.

The report highlighted that over half of Pakistan does not have access to internet because of inadequate digital infrastructure and affordability challenges and nearly half of the country’s districts have low DDI rankings. Without

equitable access to digital technology, the report noted, Pakistan’s human development outcomes will remain low and under-served.

SOURCE: DAWN
 
world is moving forward in the digital age and here in Pakistan we are unable to provide basic internet facilities.
 
Internet freedom isn’t a problem in any city of Pakistan because you can access restricted websites and apps through VPNs.
 
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I work in the network and security industry and every country has restrictions even at a network backbone level.

Amreeka has given Bytedance 9 months to divulge the TikTok app, or face being blocked in the land of the - cough cough - free.

In the UK there is content level filtering applied too, both at the edge (Your home ISP) or regional. Most for checks but some to simply block, like Russia RT.com. Europe same story.

They all do it! Governments including the West, all police the Internet.

Personally I am all for blocking out internet services in emergencies, it does prevent panic, you know, BEFORE the internet, we didn't even have mobile phones.
 
You are right , there is nothing like being a first class citizen in your own country, and I have experienced it, I lived in Pakistan for 3 consecutive years. Amazing years.

The difference is you despise Pakistan while being a 1st class citizen living in your own country.
 
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Another bad news for Pakistanis
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Fiber optic cable cuts cause internet woes for Pakistani users

PTA sources claim that Pakistani users will continue to face difficulties during the evening hours.

The fiber optic cable connecting Singapore to Pakistan and Europe has been cut.

According to sources, the submarine optical fiber cable has suffered five cuts, and it will take a month to fix it.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication (PTA) sources, internet service from the eastern direction has been affected due to the cutting of the optical fiber cable. Pakistani users are facing severe difficulties in browsing the Internet.

PTA sources claim that Pakistani users will continue to face difficulties during the evening hours.

Meanwhile, PTCL sources mention that traffic coming from the eastern direction is less than 10 percent, and hence internet traffic has been shifted to alternative sources.

Source: Samaa News
 
Internet freedom isn’t a problem in any city of Pakistan because you can access restricted websites and apps through VPNs.
I think even serfs had more rights than and thats because thats the life You have chosen.. You aren't even allowed to demonstrate against the Israelis atrocities in Palestine ,you can't utter a word against Munir, Isa, the Police Chief, or The ECP chief 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
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world is moving forward in the digital age and here in Pakistan we are unable to provide basic internet facilities.
Munir and Co have lost the country. This is the equivalent of putting your hands on your ears and going nah nah nah. The World moves on and develops and we have total buffoon that thinks he lives in the 1990s.
 
The richest pakistani to ever exist shahid Khan, he's worth 12B, is the founder of aew and flex n Gate, 2 American companies.

Another person also richer then Mia mansha is anwar pervez the UK owner of flex n Gate.

Theirs no such thing as first class or 2nd class citizens.

Pakistani people are really just Indians, aka their blood is Indian the ancestory is Indian but they separated due to religious and political conflicts and adopted their own nation and identity. In the same way Bangladeshi people are pakistani but separated.

USA, itself isn't even native. USA locals are red Indians yet the country is run by a mix of people from various desents that became American.

As for the whole education thing. I am doing and completing masters this year, my parents have masters and PHD too, my own friend is doing it.

Theirs nothing wrong with moving, your country of origin have no impact or value on your success nor does anyone from a developed country treat you any differently.
 
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As for the whole Internet freedom, vpn exists yes, but the fact that the government bans twitter, and banned youtube or other stuff for petty things shows how backwards the country is.

I get that you're religious and all, but then don't watch the content, Youtube and twitter have had various forms of education type content + their a huge help in the advertising sector. Banning it means the country is shooting itself in the foot cause many business will close and schools with have alot of khap on teaching standards.
 
Brilliant post.

The richest pakistani to ever exist shahid Khan, he's worth 12B, is the founder of aew and flex n Gate, 2 American companies.

BUT BUT

"he's not smart enough so he had to run away overseas to make it"

Another person also richer then Mia mansha is anwar pervez the UK owner of flex n Gate.

Theirs no such thing as first class or 2nd class citizens.

Pakistani people are really just Indians, aka their blood is Indian the ancestory is Indian but they separated due to religious and political conflicts and adopted their own nation and identity. In the same way Bangladeshi people are pakistani but separated.

USA, itself isn't even native. USA locals are red Indians yet the country is run by a mix of people from various desents that became American.

As for the whole education thing. I am doing and completing masters this year, my parents have masters and PHD too, my own friend is doing it

Exactly and even if my parents were non-educated, what's wrong with that? Someone has to start somewhere.
 
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I have seen less ruffled feathers in a chicken shop on a rainy day. The truth hurts and it hits home. Let it out, you will feel better about your past.
 
Guys, Please, Do not discuss personal stuff here. No need to bring families into this thread. Stay on topic or please chose other options like not to post.
 
Govt establishes new investigation agency to deal with cybercrimes

Rendering the Federal Investigation Agency’s cybercrime wing as dysfunctional, the federal government has established a new institution to deal with Peca offences.

The new institution is named as National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

The previous caretaker government approved the NCCIA in December last year under Section 51 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca).

The new agency would take over cybercrime investigations from the FIA.

Similarly, all personnel, assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, privileges, inquiries and investigations related to the FIA’s “defunct” Cybercrime Wing would be handed over to the NCCIA.

The NCCIA will be headed by a director-general who will be appointed by the Federal Government for a term of two years

The NCCIA Director General will exercise powers equivalent to those of an Inspector General of Police.


Dunya News
 
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