The interior ministry submitted a comprehensive report during the hearing at the Islamabad High Court regarding the closure of the social media platform ‘X’.
Interior ministry report emphasized that ‘X, formerly known as Twitter, is not registered in Pakistan nor has it adhered to the nation's legal framework, failing to comply with directives from the government regarding the platform's misuse.
The report underscored instances of non-cooperation from ‘X’ officials, citing their disregard for requests from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing.
According to the report, the non-cooperation of X officials justified regulatory measures including the temporary closure of the platform.
The Ministry of Interior clarified that the decision to close "X" on February 17, 2024, was made in response to intelligence agency recommendations, with the primary objective being the maintenance of national security and law and order.
The report emphasized concerns over the indiscriminate spread of extremist ideologies and false information through social media platforms, with "X" being exploited by malicious entities to disrupt peace and stability.
Addressing potential concerns regarding freedom of expression, the report affirmed that the closure of "X" aimed solely at promoting responsible social media usage in alignment with Pakistani laws.
Drawing parallels with previous instances, such as the temporary ban on TikTok, the report highlighted the necessity for platforms to adhere to national regulations.
Interior Ministry asserted that the closure of "X" did not contravene Article 19 of the Constitution, emphasizing the government's commitment to safeguarding national security interests.
The report prayed the dismissal of the petition against the closure of ‘X’ echoing the government's stance on maintaining regulatory measures to ensure the responsible use of social media platforms.
