Pakistan Warns Platforms Over Social Media Cooperation Failures
Pakistan has issued a strong warning to global tech companies about the need for social media cooperation. The government says it may ban platforms that refuse to work with local authorities. As a result, the debate around online regulations in the country is heating up again.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik shared these concerns during a TV interview. He explained that the government has reached out to several platforms about ongoing investigations. However, he claimed that X has shown the least cooperation compared to other networks.
X remains a sensitive topic in Pakistan.
The platform was blocked in February 2024, shortly after the general elections. Many users questioned the decision, while others supported stronger content oversight. Today, nearly 4.5 million people in the country still face limited access.
Malik said the government asked platforms to comply with local laws and curb harmful content. For example, he noted that posts on sensitive topics are removed quickly in other regions. In Pakistan, similar requests often face delays. He argued that this difference amounts to a double standard.
The minister also pointed to Brazil as an example. Courts there fined X millions of dollars for ignoring orders. Therefore, he claimed that Pakistan may consider similar steps if needed. He added that reminders were issued again this week to push for better cooperation.
Malik said some companies have responded well. Even so, X has not opened an office in Pakistan, despite repeated requests. This has added to the government’s frustration.
The dispute also involves the X account of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Investigations continue into posts made during his imprisonment. Courts are reviewing petitions to determine who is operating the account and whether any laws were broken.
For now, the government says it prefers dialogue. Yet it also insists that platforms must take responsible action to protect users and limit misinformation.
