The federal government, in a bid to uphold the integrity and security of the electoral process, has announced the temporary suspension of cellular services in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections scheduled for April 21 and 22.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed in a statement issued on April 20 that, upon directives from the Ministry of Interior, cellular services will be halted in designated districts of the two provinces for a duration of two days.

“This decision has been taken to safeguard the integrity and security of the electoral process,” emphasized the PTA.

Earlier on the same day, the provincial administration of Punjab submitted a formal request to the federal government seeking the suspension of mobile internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of the province on April 21, the day of the by-elections.

The request, forwarded by the Punjab Home Department to the Ministry of Interior, aimed at maintaining law and order across the province during the electoral process and to prevent any untoward incidents from occurring.

As per the letter submitted by the provincial authorities, the suspension of mobile internet services is specifically requested for districts including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Moreover, tehsils such as Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujarat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, and Bhakkar are also included in the request for service suspension.

The by-elections, planned for April 21, are scheduled  to occur in 21 constituencies, covering both National and Provincial Assembly seats. This includes five National Assembly seats, 12 Punjab Assembly seats, and two each in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) welcomes journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor’s release from jail after his bail was approved on March 16. We urge authorities to safeguard the rights of journalists protected under the law instead of harassing them through the issuance of notices, arrests, and investigations.

Toor’s arrest on the grounds of an investigation into an alleged smear campaign against the judiciary displayed the heavy-handedness of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). 

Additionally, during court proceedings on March 8, before Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, the FIA prosecutor told the court that Toor’s devices had been confiscated and his social media accounts were examined, Dawn reported. His lawyer, Hadi Ali, also told the court that the journalist’s mobile had been taken. This is in complete violation of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021, which protects a journalist’s right to privacy and non-disclosure of sources. 

On March 15, the Islamabad High Court had told a trial court to take up Toor’s bail petition after it had been postponed till March 18 due to the investigation officer being ill, Dawn reported. On March 16, the trial court Special Judge Central Humayun Dilawar approved his bail, after which Toor was released from Adiala Jail.

Toor’s arrest

On January 17, a joint investigation team was formed to investigate a smear campaign against judges. According to Dawn, reports were shared on social media that the FIA Cyber Crime Wing issued notices to approximately 47 journalists after noticing a “smear campaign against judges.” 

One of the recipients of the notices, Toor, uploaded a copy on X, formerly Twitter, which included details such as the inquiry number, the name of the complainant (Anees Ur Rehman), and the gist of the allegations. The notice directed the journalist to appear before and record his version at the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre on January 31.

According to Dawn, after meeting with representatives of the Press Association of the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, on January 27, took suo-motu notice of the “alleged harassment” of journalists and made a three-member bench to take up the case along with another case from 2021 at the request of the Press Association of the Supreme Court regarding harassment of journalists, the report added.

On January 30, the apex court gave media professionals time till the general elections to appear before the FIA. The Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, added that the notices against the journalists would be taken up after the elections, Geo reported.

After the general elections that took place on February 8, the process of notices by the FIA began again. Days prior to his arrest on February 26, Toor had responded to the earlier notice, and on

February 23, he was interrogated at the FIA offices for multiple hours.

Toor was arrested by the FIA on February 26, when he appeared before the FIA Cyber Crime Wing in Islamabad in response to the latest of a series of notices issued to him, he was arrested.

A copy of the First Information Report (FIR), registered under Sections 9, 10, and 24 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA), made sweeping and general allegations that Toor had with “malafide intentions and ulterior motives, built a false narrative and started malicious/obnoxious and explicit campaign intentionally and publicly against the modesty of civil servants/government officials and state institutions of Pakistan as well as glorifying anti-state activities through his social media accounts […]”

Following his arrest, the FIA was first granted a five-day physical remand of Toor, which was extended by two days. On March 8, he was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand. 

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Human rights activists and civil society organizations have demanded the immediate restoration of X, formerly known as Twitter, in a joint statement. They expressed grave concerns about the escalating occurrences of internet shutdowns and the blocking of social media platforms.

The joint statement issued on March 13 highlights the urgent need for the restoration of access to X, emphasizing the detrimental impact of internet shutdowns and platform blockages on freedom of expression and access to information in Pakistan.

Access to X was disrupted once again from February 17 and has intermittently continued to be experienced, cutting off citizens’ right to freely access information. This closure underscores the urgency of the activists’ demands for immediate action.

Additionally, the statement calls for reform in internet policies, urging authorities to act transparently in decisions affecting internet freedom and to repeal legal provisions enabling censorship, such as Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). It also demands clarity on the reasons and legal basis for the recent blocking of X and other affected platforms.

Furthermore, the joint statement warns against future actions that obstruct the free flow of information and political discourse, urging authorities to uphold Pakistan’s commitments to international human rights standards, including the right to freedom of expression and access to information under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In the joint statement, they urged the government and public bodies to:

– Immediately unblock X, formerly Twitter, in Pakistan.

– Repeal sections of the law, such as Section 37 of PECA, that enable censorship and violate Article 19 (right to freedom of speech and press freedom) and Article 19-A (right of access to information).

– Act with transparency on decisions that impact the free use of the Internet, including for political and economic purposes.

– Issue a statement of clarification outlining the reasons and legal basis for the recent blocking of “X” and other affected platforms.

– Avoid future actions that obstruct the free flow of information and adversely affect political discourse within the countries and take back all legislative proposals expanding control and censorship over the internet, including the e-safety bill from the previous government’s tenure should not be revived.

– Abide by Pakistan’s commitments to uphold freedom of expression and right to access to information under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Signatories include: 

Organizations: AGHS, Bolo Bhi, Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Freedom Network (FN), Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Bytes for All, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Women Democratic Front.

Individuals: Muhammad Aftab Alam, Iqbal Khattak, Adnan Rehmat, Shafique Chaudhry, Haroon Baloch, Usama Khilji, Zoya Rehman, Abdullah Nizamani, Zohra Yusuf, Salima Hashmi, Imdad Khoso, Ammar Rashid and Zeeshan Ahmed.

On March 4, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi withdrew his controversial resolution calling for a sweeping ban on major social media platforms. The move followed widespread criticism from digital rights advocates, journalists, and opposition lawmakers who labeled it a severe attack on freedom of expression.

Senator Tangi initially submitted the resolution to the Senate, on March 2, arguing that platforms like Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube were spreading misinformation, hate speech, and extremism, posing a severe threat to Pakistan’s youth and society.

“I have decided to withdraw the resolution after listening to the concerns of rights activists and journalists. I believe that there are other ways to address the negative effects of social media without resorting to a ban”, Tangi stated during the withdrawal.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Abro criticized the resolution, labeling it as an assault on the youth. He questioned its inclusion in the agenda and expressed disbelief at its origins. He pointed out that the individual advocating for the resolution to postpone elections was attempting to stifle the youth’s voice.

Digital rights activists and journalists heavily criticized the resolution the moment it appeared on the Senate agenda. They denounced it as an attempt to further restrict freedom of expression in Pakistan. This came as the country was already facing internet service disruptions due to allegations of rigging in the February 8th elections.

X already continues to be disrupted in the country since February 17. The outage coincides with restrictions imposed on virtual private networks (VPNs), further limiting access to social media platforms in the country.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned it as a violation of fundamental rights. Journalists and activists organized online protests against the resolution, highlighting how such bans stifle dissent and undermine democracy.

The post Pakistan Senator Withdraws Resolution to Ban Social Media first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

On March 4, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi withdrew his controversial resolution calling for a sweeping ban on major social media platforms. The move followed widespread criticism from digital rights advocates, journalists, and opposition lawmakers who labeled it a severe attack on freedom of expression.

Senator Tangi initially submitted the resolution to the Senate, on March 2, arguing that platforms like Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube were spreading misinformation, hate speech, and extremism, posing a severe threat to Pakistan’s youth and society.

“I have decided to withdraw the resolution after listening to the concerns of rights activists and journalists. I believe that there are other ways to address the negative effects of social media without resorting to a ban”, Tangi stated during the withdrawal.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Abro criticized the resolution, labeling it as an assault on the youth. He questioned its inclusion in the agenda and expressed disbelief at its origins. He pointed out that the individual advocating for the resolution to postpone elections was attempting to stifle the youth’s voice.

Digital rights activists and journalists heavily criticized the resolution the moment it appeared on the Senate agenda. They denounced it as an attempt to further restrict freedom of expression in Pakistan. This came as the country was already facing internet service disruptions due to allegations of rigging in the February 8th elections.

X already continues to be disrupted in the country since February 17. The outage coincides with restrictions imposed on virtual private networks (VPNs), further limiting access to social media platforms in the country.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned it as a violation of fundamental rights. Journalists and activists organized online protests against the resolution, highlighting how such bans stifle dissent and undermine democracy.

The post Pakistan Senator Withdraws Resolution to Ban Social Media first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

X, formerly known as Twitter, continues to be disrupted in Pakistan for the tenth consecutive day. The outage coincides with restrictions imposed on virtual private networks (VPNs), further limiting access to social media platforms in the country. The disruption has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and access to information, with users unable to utilize alternative means to access the microblogging service.

According to Dawn, X users of Pakistan continue to face persistent challenges in accessing the platform. Commencing on February 17, the outage has aligned with tightened restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs), making it harder for users to get around censorship measures. Notably, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the government agency responsible for overseeing telecommunications has chosen not to issue an official statement on the issue, redirecting inquiries to the Ministry of Interior instead.

On February 19, Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz, stated that he had no knowledge of any restrictions being imposed. Information Minister Murtaza Solangi also refuted claims of suspending the services of X, Dawn added.

The Nation reported that the outage has raised concerns among citizens and rights activists about the freedom of expression and access to information in Pakistan. In a nation where social media plays a pivotal role in communication and information sharing, the outage has yielded notable consequences. Those dependent on X for rapid dissemination of news, updates, and viewpoints find themselves disconnected and unable to avail the platform’s offerings. This scenario has prompted apprehensions about the entitlement to freely access social media platforms.

According to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), this recent disruption of access to X has sparked concerns over the infringement of citizens’ rights to free speech and information, particularly during significant political moments. This incident, starting from February 17 and noted for its intermittent continuation, has yet to be addressed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority with a formal explanation. The restriction impacts the essential flow of information, especially critical in the post-election phase amid political uncertainty, highlighting a disturbing trend towards limiting digital freedoms.

However, as per Pakistan Today, the SHC issued a directive instructing the federal government and the PTA to reinstate services for social media platforms, including X, across Pakistan on February 21. The order, issued by an SHC bench led by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, came in response to a petition challenging recent “unconstitutional” internet shutdowns throughout the country. Furthermore, the court has requested a report from the PTA regarding the suspension of internet services on election day and has issued a notice to the federal government.

The post X is still down in Pakistan, VPN also restricted first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has demanded explanations from the information technology and communication,  interior ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the suspension of internet services on election day on February 08 in various parts of the country during the court hearing on February 21. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to suspend internet services and sought detailed reasons for the action.

According to Dawn , addressing the authorities, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi questioned, “Why are you making a spectacle of yourself in front of the world?” and directed them to restore internet services and social media platforms nationwide.

These remarks were made during the court’s hearing of three petitions challenging the suspension of internet services. Lawyers Jibran Nasir and Hyder Raza, along with the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan, filed petitions against various ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, alleging obstruction of access to social media platforms and disruption of mobile internet and broadband services leading up to the February 8 polls. 

According to Business Recorder , during a hearing SHC ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit a report on the necessity and legality of the action. The petition argued that the shutdown hindered the dissemination of information and restricted citizens’ ability to participate in the electoral process. This development came as the court expressed concerns over the impact of internet shutdowns on democratic processes in the country.

On another front, the counsel representing the federal government stated that the decision to suspend internet services was based on recommendations from provincial governments. In response, the chief justice directed inquiries toward the Sindh government lawyer, who denied issuing orders for the shutdown, requesting time to furnish a detailed response. 

The court adjourned the hearing until March 5 to allow for further deliberation.

A nationwide suspension of cellular services occurred on February 8, coinciding with the voting day for millions of Pakistanis. According to Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) which condemned the shutdown of mobile connectivity and data services on election day throughout Pakistan. This action had raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of the entire electoral process and prompted inquiries into the government’s intentions behind keeping citizens uninformed.

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The post Sindh High Court Seeks Explanation for Election Day Internet Suspension first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Twitter continues to remain inaccessible in Pakistan for the fourth consecutive day, prompting concerns over freedom of expression and communication rights in the country. The disruption of the popular social media platform, which began on February 17, has caused frustration among users and drawn international attention, with the United States urging Pakistan to ensure unrestricted access to the internet.

According to Dawn, the platform has been inaccessible since Satur­day when former Rawal­pindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha held a press conference and accused the chief election commissioner and chief justice of being involved in rigging the Feb 8 general elections.

In a recent update shared on X, NetBlocks reported that access to X has experienced intermittent restoration on certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The organization noted that despite these intermittent improvements, X/Twitter remains inaccessible for numerous users in Pakistan, surpassing the 72-hour mark of restriction. This incident marks the longest among several instances of internet censorship observed during the election period, according to NetBlocks metrics.

Dawn reached out to a spokesperson from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for comment. However, no response had been received.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in a statement condemned the ongoing disruption of social media and internet services in Pakistan and demanded the immediate restoration of X. PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari expressed deep concern over the prolonged suspension of internet access and X, emphasizing that such actions pose a grave threat to freedom of expression and free speech as enshrined in the Constitution. Stressing the indispensable role of internet and social media as primary sources of information globally, they urged authorities to promptly restore uninterrupted internet services across the country.

Meanwhile, the United States, through its embassy in Islamabad, has called for unrestricted access to the internet in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of free flow of information for a vibrant democracy. The statement underscores the international scrutiny the situation has garnered, as concerns mount over the implications for freedom of expression and access to information, 24 News reported.

According to Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), this recent disruption of access to X has sparked concerns over the infringement of citizens’ rights to free speech and information, particularly during significant political moments. This incident, starting from February 17 and noted for its intermittent continuation, has yet to be addressed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority with a formal explanation. The restriction impacts the essential flow of information, especially critical in the post-election phase amid political uncertainty, highlighting a disturbing trend towards limiting digital freedoms.

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The post Twitter Remains Unreachable for Fourth Consecutive Day in Pakistan first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is concerned by the repeated disruptions in access to social media platforms in Pakistan. The recurrent disruptions in access to the internet, particularly social media platforms, is a dangerous tool being used to repress access to information and free speech. A worrying precedent for the control and restriction of free speech online is being set in Pakistan by restricting access to information online. PPF urges the relevant authorities to ensure that unhindered access to social media platforms is provided, particularly during the electioneering period ahead of the February 8 general elections. The underlying cause of these repeated disruptions must also be investigated.

On January 7, users faced difficulty accessing social media platforms for the second time within a month. While there is no official confirmation about the cause of the disruption, it took place when the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf party was launching an election fundraising telethon. Less than a month ago, on December 17, 2023,  internet outages were reported during a PTI virtual power show.

On January 7, NetBlocks confirmed a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across Pakistan, including X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not officially issued any statement regarding the disruption.

Using its official X account, the PTI has raised concerns about a recurring trend of internet connectivity problems coinciding with their virtual activities.

The party has asked the Supreme Court to take notice of internet disruptions, Dawn reported.

Ahead of general elections, all political parties must be provided with a level playing field and the ability to conduct their political activities. By blocking access to the internet, particularly social media, not only are political parties unable to fundraise and communicate with citizens, but the media also faces challenges in reporting during this critical period. Uninterrupted access online is vital in the pre-election, election day, and post-election period.

The post PPF concerned by repeated disruptions in access to social media; calls it a dangerous tool to repress access to information and free speech first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) condemns the recent disruptions to access to social media platforms in Pakistan.  While it is not possible to ascertain if this was the cause of the disruption, the disruption in services experienced on December 17 occurred at a time when the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf party was hosting a virtual rally. PPF urges authorities to ensure that social media services remain accessible in the country and that such attempts to disrupt access are not taken.

According to Dawn, on December 17, social media users experienced difficulty using social media platforms in various cities as well as slow internet services on Sunday night.

NetBlocks confirmed the disruption in access to social media, stating that there was a “nation-scale disruption.” They added that it had occurred just ahead of a virtual gathering by the PTI.

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority said that it was “looking into reports that internet services witnessed disruption in some parts of the country,” The News reported. In the statement that was issued a day after the disruption, the PTA said that internet services in the country were “normal.”

In response to the incident, the PTI tweeted from their official X account, stating:  “In what was an expected move, the illegitimate, fascist regime has slowed down internet speed and disrupted social media platforms all across Pakistan, prior to PTI’s historic Virtual Jalsa! This is proof of the fear of the unprecedented popularity of Imran Khan’s PTI!”

This is not the first time that Pakistan has experienced such a disruption in internet services of access to social media platforms. 

In May 2023, in an unprecedented step, the PTA imposed a days-long block on mobile internet services and restricted access to social media websites. The blanket ban came into place on May 9, as protests broke out following the arrest of Imran Khan. On May 12, mobile internet services were restored. Despite this, access to social media remained restricted till May 15, when it was fully restored. 

The closure of mobile internet services and restricted access to social media created challenges for the media to report and disseminate information, affected the citizens’ ability to stay informed, particularly during significant political activity and uncertainty, and had an economic impact. According to Reuters, point of sales transactions fell by 50 percent, a day after the mobile internet services were suspended.   

The post Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) condemns the disruption in access to social media in Pakistan first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).