The recent revelation of a letter from the Ministry of Interior to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the blocking of X (formerly Twitter) has shed light on a significant contradiction in the regulator’s stance on the matter.
According to sources cited by the contents of the letter instructing PTA to shut down X expose a discrepancy between PTA’s actions and its official statements.
While the interior ministry admitted to the suspension of X in a statement to the Sindh High Court, citing intelligence agency reports as the basis for the decision, PTA Chairman has denied the existence of such a directive from the Ministry when questioned by the media.
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The Ministry of Interior issued the directive on February 17, 2024, ordering PTA to suspend X indefinitely. However, the Chairman of PTA, retired Major General Hafiz Rahman, recently stated on a private television program that the regulator had not received any written communication regarding the suspension of X. He further explained that on February 8, during the election day, a meeting was convened with all security agencies present, where concerns were raised about potential security threats. At that time, the regulator received orders to shut down the internet, which it promptly announced via official channels.
Chairman PTA emphasized that the Ministry of Interior did not specifically direct the banning of X, but expressed the need for accountability in the matter.
These discrepancies between PTA’s public statements and its adherence to government directives regarding the treatment of X have raised significant concerns.
