'X' restored in Pakistan after Indian action

The services of the social media platform ‘X’ have been restored in Pakistan after more than a year. The platform was shut down in February 2024, a move that came at a time when tensions between the two countries and the political atmosphere were tense after India carried out missile attacks on Pakistan at five different locations.

The government imposed the ban on X in view of the political tensions in the country and the spread of misinformation and sensitive content on social media. According to the government’s position, the move was necessary to prevent the spread of false information.

However, human rights activists, journalists, students, and various organizations have termed the ban a restriction on freedom of expression and have termed it unfair. Several petitions were filed in the courts against it, and international organizations also expressed concern about internet freedom.

Now, more than a year later, X has been restored in Pakistan on May 7, 2025, and users can access the platform without a VPN. The decision is being seen as a positive step, paving the way for free expression in Pakistan, especially at a time when regional tensions and global information exchange have become paramount.