The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is prepared to lift the ban on the social media platform X, pending government approval. PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman stated that technical preparations for lifting the ban are complete, and the authority is awaiting a directive from the federal government to proceed. The platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was banned in Pakistan since February 17 due to national security concerns.
The PTA has emphasized that the removal of the ban will be contingent on the platform’s adherence to local laws and regulations. Notably, according to Rehman, only 7% of the complaints against X were addressed by the platform in the last three months.
During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, the PTA addressed complaints about the efficacy of the ban on X. Despite the ban, a significant number of users continued to access the platform via VPNs. The PTA reported that while VPN usage spiked after the ban, the overall number of users on X has decreased by 70%. The authority also acknowledged the potential negative impact of a blanket VPN ban on the IT sector, which relies on these networks for various operations.
PTA noted that the demand for VPNs increased by 131% following the ban on X. Surfshark, a VPN provider, reported a 300-400% increase in new user acquisitions in Pakistan immediately after the ban. According to DataReportal, there were 4.5 million X users in Pakistan in early 2024.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar proposed taxing social media platforms, pointing out that many platforms operating in Pakistan do not fall within the tax net. The parliamentary committee is considering measures to ensure fair taxation and regulation of digital services in the country.
Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hasan, chairman of the committee, raised concerns about the impact of a blanket VPN ban, stating that such a move could lead to the collapse of several IT businesses that rely on VPNs for their operations. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that considers the implications for the IT sector while addressing regulatory concerns.
