A Senate standing committee has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s decision to block the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), questioning the rationale and effectiveness of such measures in addressing national security concerns. During a session held on July 10, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications grilled government officials over the sudden ban on X.
The committee’s members, including senators from various political parties, voiced their concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation in the decision-making process. The ban, enforced without prior notice, has raised questions about its impact on freedom of speech and the digital economy.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the ban, citing significant compliance issues with the platform. He reported that X hosts accounts containing pornographic videos and has demonstrated a poor compliance rate with government requests to manage content. Specifically, he highlighted instances where X failed to remove contentious content, including a video of a knife attack on a church in Australia, which was only blocked locally despite requests for its removal, and a live broadcast of an attack on a sensitive location in Pakistan.
These incidents, according to Minister Tarar, illustrate the platform’s inadequate response to governmental concerns about content management, which influenced the decision to impose the ban. “The ban was essential to address the direct threats posed by the platform’s lax content policies,” said Tarar.
Senator Ali Zafar emphasized the role of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in cybercrime and digital content regulation. Tarar highlighted that, despite reporting numerous issues to the FIA and other authorities, no action has been taken.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui also raised the issue of fake news, specifically fabricated stories about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz constructing a fortress for her office in Lahore. He urged citizens to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and respect others’ dignity to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The committee, chaired by Senator Zafar, questioned the selective nature of the ban, noting that other platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn were not restricted despite similar issues.
