X Declines Government’s Content Removal Requests; SIndh High Court Told
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has refused to comply with the Pakistani government’s requests for a content takedown, citing a need for additional information to justify its actions.
On October 8, the Sindh High Court (SHC), presided over by Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, heard petitions challenging the government’s social media and internet services restrictions. The court documents submitted by Additional Attorney General Ziaul Haq Makhdoom showed that in many cases, X refused to comply with the government’s requests, often asking for more information to substantiate claims of policy violations. The submission did not disclose the total number of requests or how many were accepted. Instead, the report emphasized that most of the platform’s responses involved rejections or requests for additional information to review the cases further.
During the hearing, the bench incorporated these documents into the court record and emphasized their significance for resolving the matter. The court also maintained interim orders requiring the restoration of access to X and internet services, noting that no lawful justification had been presented for their suspension. However, the Ministry of Interior reported that the platform had been blocked in February based on intelligence agency reports, pending further orders.
The ban was implemented ahead of the February 2024 general elections following intelligence reports that identified the platform as a tool for inciting violence and undermining national security. Government officials have expressed frustration over X’s lack of compliance with content removal requests, and the case remains ongoing with the next hearing scheduled for October 17.
On September 27, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the government’s ban on social media platform X (Twitter) was not meant to curtail freedom of expression but to address security threats posed by separatist and terrorist groups, notably the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These groups were allegedly using X to broadcast live terrorist activities and promote anti-state propaganda.
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