Earlier today, The Ministry of Interior directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to blocked all social media platform which includes Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Telegram. The ministry directed to temporary block all social media platforms from 11 am to 3 pm for Friday, 16th April 2021 in order to restore national order and safety.
Although the notification lacks exact reasons for the suspension, but given the current political unrest across the country for past several days – caused by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protest is considered as one of the prominent reasons.
On other hand, social media influencers and activist are furious of Friday’s social media blackout and criticized for its adverse impact on freedom of speech.
“These arbitrary decisions of blocking and banning have never done any good (and) instead opened ways to blanket bans,” said Nighat Dad, head of the Digital Rights Foundation on Twitter, shortly before the site became inaccessible.
