Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (Rtd) Hafeezur Rehman clarified that the federal government solely decided to block the social media platform “X,” formerly known as Twitter.
In a conversation with journalists, he stated that “X” will reopen once the government issues a directive, amid numerous complaints currently under review by the Sindh High Court.
The Chairman noted that India had 116 internet shutdowns in 2023, while Pakistan recorded only seven. He emphasized that although the PTA opposes shutdowns, national security takes precedence.
During Ashura, on the 10th of Muharram, authorities suspended mobile services in some areas and briefly halted internet services in specific regions.
He compared this to Bangladesh, which also suspended mobile services during elections, noting that every country has its unique security challenges and makes decisions based on intelligence reports.
