ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan government adviser on digital media has said Twitter needed to explain its policy on pro-Kashmir content, after the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority wrote to Twitter about 280 accounts blocked or suspended for posting tweets in support of self-determination for the people of disputed Kashmir.
In a statement on Tuesday, PTA said 280 valid handles had been suspended, alleging that “under Indian influence, the social media platform is not only depriving Pakistani users of their fundamental rights but also violating its own community guidelines.”
The account suspensions and blockade came after Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, an annual day observed in Pakistan in support of the Kashmir cause. The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is claimed in full by India and Pakistan and ruled in part by both. The nations have also fought two wars over the disputed region.
“This [blocking of accounts] is something very serious, and we are looking into it,” Dr. Arslan Khalid, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s focal person on digital media, told Arab News on Wednesday. “Twitter on its own should explain why these suspensions took place and what is their policy on content on Kashmir.”
Digital rights activists have used the suspensions to urge the government to adopt a ‘uniform and impartial’ policy on the issue, pointing out that while Pakistani authorities opposed the suspension of some accounts, they themselves had devised new Internet laws under which they could ask social media platforms to block content that was critical of the government or state institutions.
The new rules were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet last February but rolled out in November.
They give the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority “removal and blocking” powers of digital content that “harms, intimidates or excites disaffection” toward the government or poses a threat to the “integrity, security and defense of Pakistan”.
A service provider or social media company could face a fine up to 500 million rupees ($3.14 million) for non-compliance, which would in turn trigger a mechanism preventing the uploading and live streaming, particularly related to “terrorism, hate speech, pornography, incitement to violence and detrimental to national security”.
A platform has to act within 24 hours or, in case of an emergency, six hours to remove content. The rules also empower the telecom authority to block an entire online system.
In November, industry body, the Asia Internet Coalition, wrote a letter to PM Khan and said the new social media rules would prevent Pakistani citizens from accessing a free and open Internet and shut the country’s digital economy off from the rest of the world.
Last month, the attorney general of Pakistan told the Islamabad High Court the government was ready to review the new Internet rules and would invite all relevant stakeholders for consultations.
“This is very interesting to know: that the government is urging Twitter to unblock the [pro-Kashmir] accounts, unlike sending requests to block the accounts of activists, journalists and dissidents,” Usama Khilji, who works with digital rights group Bolo Bhi, told Arab News, adding that the government should take a consistent stance on online freedom.
“When the government raises a voice for some specific accounts only, it seems like a political approach,” he said. “The government should also stop sending requests to the tech companies for suspension of dissident accounts.”
However, Khilji added: “Social media companies should be transparent too in their actions and provide reasons for suspension or blocking of accounts.”
Twitter needs to explain policy on pro-Kashmir content, Pakistan says
https://arab.news/zp9ye
Twitter needs to explain policy on pro-Kashmir content, Pakistan says
- 280 Pakistanis’ handles suspended or blocked for posting about right to self-determination of Kashmiris, PTA says
- Digital rights activists urge government to adopt ‘uniform’ policy on the blocking of content by social media firms
Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions
- The development comes after Pakistan emerges as one of world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing nearly 50GW of solar panels
- Hoymiles entry will address long-hour backup and energy storage challenges facing Pakistan’s growing solar sector, local partner says
KARACHI: Renowned Chinese inverter manufacturer Hoymiles has entered Pakistan to provide high-tech, long-duration energy storage solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings by utilizing solar systems for electricity consumption, its Pakistani partner said on Monday.
Over the past few years, a large number of Pakistani industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers have shifted to solar power systems to address frequent power outages and the rising cost of electricity. Reports indicate that net-metering capacity currently stands at 6,000 megawatts (MWs), while off-grid solar capacity has increased to 12,000 MWs in Pakistan by the end of 2025.
Hoymiles has formed strategic partnerships with Superstar, a renowned name in Pakistan’s automotive industry, and Harisun Energy, a new entrant in the energy solutions sector, to explore the Pakistani market, which is witnessing rapid growth in solar power adoption. In this regard, launch events were held simultaneously in Karachi and Lahore, unveiling multiple storage solutions produced by Hoymiles under the brands of Harisun Energy and Superstar.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Hoymiles launching ceremony in Karachi, Ali Rashid, advisor to Sindh chief minister on science and information technology (IT), said the provincial government appreciates foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, establishing their industries, assembly, and distribution units in Karachi to meet the demand of the local market as well as export solutions to other countries.
“The government is working rigorously to facilitate foreign investors and companies to enhance their business and commercial activities, mainly in the technology and renewable energy sectors, to improve the living standards of the public and boost economic activity within the country and the province of Sindh,” he said.
The Sindh government is currently collaborating with various Chinese companies across different sectors, including logistics and renewable energy, and it welcomes further cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to Rashid.
The provincial government is considering establishing its own regulatory authority and transmission company, aimed at setting up a separate electricity grid system at the provincial level, which could provide affordable electricity to the masses and enhance connectivity to remote areas, preferably through renewable energy resources.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing approximately 50 GW of solar panels amid falling prices and widespread adoption across sectors in the first half of the year. This surge has made Pakistan the third-largest market for Chinese solar panels, a growth that has attracted global attention.
Superstar Solar Energy and Harisun Energy are introducing Hoymiles’ innovative range of solar inverters, energy storage solutions, and smart energy management systems to the Pakistani market. These solutions are designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy, empowering individuals and businesses to harness solar power as a clean and green energy source.
“Pakistan’s growing solar sector is facing a major challenge related to long-hour backup and energy storage solutions, which will soon be addressed with the entry of a global leader in energy solutions,” said Haris Jamsheed, CEO of Harisun Energy.
“Our partnership with the Chinese company will provide innovative energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems, enabling uninterrupted electricity supply at workplaces, factories, and homes during nighttime hours.”
Solarization has continued to expand across the country on a large scale due to prolonged load-shedding in remote areas and the high cost of electricity, which has become unaffordable for many households and industrial units, particularly in recent years.
“We have vowed to bring an energy revolution to Pakistan through innovative storage solutions, as the industrial and commercial sectors can enhance productivity with low-cost electricity backup systems,” said Saleem Umar, Chairman of Superstar.
“Affordable electricity will reduce operational costs at the domestic level, enabling exporters to compete more effectively in global markets.”
