ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s recent restriction on social media platform X marks the country’s 5th Internet restriction in 2024 alone, said a leading virtual network (VPN) brand on Friday, raising concerns about growing Internet censorship in the country.
The social networking website has largely remained inaccessible to users in Pakistan for nearly a week since a senior bureaucrat last Saturday accused the country’s chief justice and top election commission official of rigging the controversial February 8 election.
The blockage has raised widespread concerns about democratic expression and media freedom, with the United States and several international organizations urging the government to provide unhindered Internet access to people.
Surfshark, a leading VPN brand, said Pakistan witnessed three restrictions in February that were “directly related to the election, while the remaining two happened in January during virtual events organized by the opposition [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party].”
“These new cases mark a worrying spike in Internet censorship in Pakistan,” it said in a statement. “2024 has only started but has already exceeded both 2023 and 2022 in new restriction count — there were 4 Internet restrictions in 2023 and 3 in 2022.”
It added Surfshark had witnessed an increase in VPN usage in Pakistan since February 18.
“Daily new user acquisition rates have grown three to four times compared to the previous month, indicating a growing reliance on these services for Internet access and privacy,” it added.
The company noted that Pakistan had imposed restrictions on VPNs which could lead to difficulties when connecting to the circumvention tools.
“Pakistan’s Internet censorship efforts have been alarmingly increasing, and 2024 may be a record year for the country regarding Internet restrictions,” Lina Survila, Surfshark spokeswoman, said. “With reports of VPN restrictions coming to light as well, it seems that the country is prepared to take any means necessary to cut its citizens off from each other and the rest of the world.”
Earlier, NetBlocks, an Internet monitor based in the United Kingdom, said that restriction on platform X had entered the sixth day, making Pakistan join “a handful of countries that ban access to international social media platforms.”
Leading VPN brand raises censorship concerns as Pakistan faces fifth Internet restriction in 2024
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Leading VPN brand raises censorship concerns as Pakistan faces fifth Internet restriction in 2024
- Surfshark says Pakistan willing to take any measure ‘to cut citizens off from each other and the rest of the world’
- It mentions a spike in censorship, saying Pakistan witnessed four Internet restrictions in 2023 and three in 2022
Pakistan condemns Israel’s military operation in Lebanon as conflict displaces over 700,000
- Israel’s bombardment has killed nearly 500 people in the country, Lebanese authorities say
- Pakistan calls for unconditional Israeli troop withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Tuesday condemned Israel’s military operation in Lebanon, calling on Tel Aviv to withdraw its troops from the occupied areas unconditionally, with the war displacing over 700,000 people in the country, according to a UN agency.
Lebanon was pulled into Israel’s conflict in the Middle East against Iran after Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this month. This ignited an Israeli offensive that has killed nearly 500 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israeli bombardment in Lebanon has forced nearly 700,000 people to flee their homes, Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF regional director, said in a statement.
“Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of nearly half a million people,” the foreign office said in a statement.
Islamabad said Israel’s actions were in violation of international law, adding that they were also hampering Lebanon’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country.
The foreign office warned that Israel’s actions can further exacerbate the ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the Middle East.
Pakistan called on the international community to take “urgent action” to end the Israeli military operations and indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
“We also call for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories immediately, fully, and unconditionally,” the foreign office added.
It concluded its statement by saying Pakistan expresses solidarity with Lebanon and will continue to support efforts aimed at securing peace in the country and the wider region.
The Israeli military has sent more troops into southern Lebanon since the start of the war, establishing what it described as forward defensive positions to guard against Hezbollah attacks into Israel.
The conflict takes place while US, Israel and Iran remain engaged in the worst fighting between the countries in decades, disrupting energy supply routes and causing oil prices to surge worldwide.
