• October 9, 2024
• Social Media

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has refused to comply with the Pakistani government’s requests for a content takedown, citing a need for additional information to justify its actions. On October 8, the Sindh High Court (SHC), presided over by Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, heard petitions challenging the government’s social media […]

• October 5, 2024
• Social Media

Widespread internet and mobile service disruptions hit major Pakistani cities on October 4, leaving millions of users struggling to access popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. The outages coincided with protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad, raising concerns that the disruptions were linked to the political unrest. According to Downdetector, a service that […]

• October 5, 2024
• Social Media

On October 3, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) alerted investors about the increase in fraudulent investment schemes promoted through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. These schemes often involve unauthorized groups and individuals falsely claiming to be registered professionals or affiliated with legitimate companies. They use various tactics, including AI technology and impersonation of regulatory bodies, […]

• October 2, 2024
• Social Media

In a briefing on October 1, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, clarified the key players behind internet shutdowns and the temporary bans on social media platforms, notably X (formerly known as Twitter). He said that the PTA does not make decisions to impose such restrictions but is driven by […]

• October 1, 2024
• Social Media

On September 27, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the government’s ban on social media platform X (Twitter) was not meant to curtail freedom of expression but to address security threats posed by separatist and terrorist groups, notably the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These groups were allegedly using X to broadcast live terrorist activities and promote anti-state […]

• October 1, 2024
• Social Media

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has urged the government to intensify efforts in regulating social media platforms, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation and fake content. She suggested that platforms should face potential bans if regulation cannot be effectively enforced. Bukhari expressed her frustration during a media address on September 30th, calling for regulating these platforms or their […]

• September 25, 2024
• Social Media

On September 24, Islamabad police personnel were officially prohibited from expressing opinions or sharing content on social media platforms without prior authorization, according to a directive issued by Inspector General of Police (IG) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. The memorandum aims to regulate officers’ online activities and ensure that official information and confidential material are not […]

• September 23, 2024
• Social Media

Users of WhatsApp and Instagram across Pakistan reported widespread outages on September 21, affecting communication and social media services throughout the country. The disruption was confirmed by outage monitoring platform, Downdetector, which showed a significant spike in reports starting around 10:45am local time. Many users reported issues with sending messages and accessing services on both platforms. The outages affected […]

• September 21, 2024
• Social Media

On September 21, the Karachi police introduced a new social media policy requiring all officers and personnel to remove inappropriate content from their social media accounts within seven days. The directive, issued by Additional Inspector General (IG) Javed Alam Odho, prohibits the use of official police resources such as vehicles, uniforms, and headquarters—in social media posts without […]

• September 18, 2024
• Social Media

On September 17, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that its previous claim regarding the lifting of the ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was made in error. This admission has led to warnings from the court that PTA’s chairman could face contempt proceedings due to the regulatory body’s […]

• September 18, 2024
• Social Media

To ensure discipline and professionalism, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police have officially banned the use of social media by all police officers across the province. A directive was issued to all Regional, City, and District Police Officers (RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs) to enforce the prohibition, which aims to curb distractions during duty hours. According to […]

• September 16, 2024
• Social Media

On September 13, Punjab police officers were barred from expressing personal, political, or religious views on social media without prior approval from their district or unit heads, according to a directive issued by the Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Operations. The policy, conveyed through a letter titled “Social Media Policy,” mandates strict adherence to these guidelines. […]

• September 7, 2024
• Social Media

On September 6, the Sindh Police suspended 12 officers for allegedly misusing social media platforms in a step towards enforcing discipline within the force. The officers were found to have violated departmental policies by sharing “inappropriate viral videos on different social media platforms.” Earlier this week, Inspector General of Police Sindh, Ghulam Nabi Memon, emphasized that “There […]

• September 3, 2024
• Social Media

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hold a hearing on September 19 to address a contempt of court case involving Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. The court has issued notices to journalists, social media activists, and federal authorities, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), requiring […]