After more than a year of restricted access, PTA has officially lifted the ban on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed the restoration on Wednesday, noting that the platform is now accessible without the need for VPNs.
Users across the country began reporting access just after midnight, with X functioning smoothly on both mobile and broadband networks. PTA later issued a statement confirming that the restrictions had been removed.
The ban, which was imposed on February 17, 2024, had drawn sharp criticism from digital rights advocates and civil society groups for curtailing online expression. The restriction, recommended by the Ministry of Interior at the time, had kept millions of users offline unless they used workarounds like VPNs.
Restoration of X comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India, with cross-border attacks making headlines over recent days. While officials have not directly linked the unblocking of X to current regional developments, some voices in the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications emphasised the need to reclaim space in the digital narrative.
Senator Palwasha Khan applauded the PTA’s move, citing the importance of countering disinformation during volatile times. “We must participate in the digital conversation and give a strong response where needed,” she said during a recent committee meeting.
Independent internet monitoring group NetBlocks also confirmed the development, indicating that X is once again fully functional in the country. The move has been welcomed as a positive step toward restoring digital connectivity and public discourse.
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