Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar announced the imposition of a ban on the social media platform X, citing national security threats. The decision, as articulated by Tarar, aims to prevent the platform’s use for terrorist activities without infringing on freedom of expression.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Tarar discussed the issue during an interview with the Voice of America in New York. He explained that the ban was implemented by the interim government and is a response to the exploitation of the platform by separatist and terrorist groups, including the BLA, who have been actively running campaigns and broadcasting terrorist activities live on X. The minister emphasized the critical need for regulation of social media to prevent its misuse and ensure public safety. He reiterated that existing web management systems should suffice to maintain cybersecurity and data security.

Despite the ban, Tarar, also a political worker, expressed hope that X could be reinstated if compliance and regulatory issues are effectively addressed, suggesting a possible resolution through dialogue and adjustments to the platform’s operations.