Social Media Dilemma: Pakistan Grapples with 'X' Platform Shutdown
- Posted on February 24, 2024
- Technology
- By Arijit Dutta
- 271 Views
Pakistani users are facing a significant challenge as the popular social media platform 'X', owned by Elon Musk, remains offline for nearly a week. Despite concerns and reports of disruption, the government and authorities have provided no official explanation, leaving users disconnected and frustrated. The Sindh High Court has intervened, ordering the restoration of services, but the situation remains unresolved.
For
almost a week, Pakistani users have been unable to access the widely used
social media platform
'X', owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, leaving them disconnected and
frustrated. The outage, with no official explanation from authorities, has
prompted concerns and reports of disruption across the nation. The caretaker
government, including Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Minister for Information and
Technology, has not provided immediate comment, and the Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to release an official statement
regarding the matter.
According to reports from Geo News, the shutdown began last Saturday, triggering worries among users nationwide. Downdetector.com, a website tracker, indicated potential problems with 'X' based on user reports, exacerbating uncertainties about the situation.
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Despite
Pakistan's status as one of the top global internet users, challenges in
internet availability persist, with the country often ranking lower compared to
its counterparts. Authorities have a history of intermittently disrupting
access to social media platforms, with previous instances occurring before the
general elections on February 8, attributed to errors or security concerns.
Meanwhile,
the Sindh High Court has intervened, issuing an order directing the PTA to
fully restore 'X' services across the country. The court has requested a
detailed response from the authority and other involved parties, yet
accessibility remains pending as the PTA has not yet complied. The ongoing
blackout highlights the complexities of digital connectivity and governance in
Pakistan's technological landscape.