The Internet’s Observatory—NetBlocks on Saturday confirmed the countrywide disruption of X formerly Twitter in the wake of “political turmoil” that following a controversial election marred with allegations of massive rigging.
Pakistan had held its general election 2024 on February 8 and there are multiple parties that were protesting the results in different constituencies alleging interference and election fraud.
“Confirmed: Live metrics show a nation-scale disruption to X/Twitter across #Pakistan; the incident comes amid political turmoil after a controversial election held under an internet and mobile network blackout,” said the NetBlocks in a post on X formerly Twitter.
“After the worst rigging in Pakistan, another attack [made] on freedom of expression. Social networking website X (Twitter) has been banned in Pakistan. In the 21st century, such foolish decisions will only create instability in the country and nothing else,” said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a post on its social media networking sites.
“This is absolutely shameful. After closing mobile services in Pakistan during election day, they have no blocked X in Pakistan because PTI was exposing the rigging!!,” the PTI added.
Currently, the people in Pakistan who are using the X with the help of VPN also condemned the government’s move and called for addressing the issue.
“Instead of addressing the issue of rigging the interim government’s response is to ban Twitter in the country. Silencing dissent is not the answer,” said a user of X Dr Nabil Chaudhry in a post.
He said the international community must condemn such actions and pressure Pakistan to uphold democratic principles.
