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 鈥渦nder Indian influence, the social media platform is not only depriving Pakistani users of their fundamental rights but also violating its own community guidelines.鈥�
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.
鈥淭his [blocking of accounts] is something very serious, and we are looking into it,鈥� Dr. Arslan Khalid, Prime Minister Imran Khan鈥檚 focal person on digital media, told Arab News on Wednesday. 鈥淭witter on its own should explain why these suspensions took place and what is their policy on content on Kashmir.鈥�
Digital rights activists have used the suspensions to urge the government to adopt a 鈥榰niform and impartial鈥� 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鈥檚 cabinet last February but rolled out in November.
They give the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority 鈥渞emoval and blocking鈥� powers of digital content that 鈥渉arms, intimidates or excites disaffection鈥� toward the government or poses a threat to the 鈥渋ntegrity, security and defense of Pakistan鈥�.
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 鈥渢errorism, hate speech, pornography, incitement to violence and detrimental to national security鈥�.
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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his 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,鈥� 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.
鈥淲hen the government raises a voice for some specific accounts only, it seems like a political approach,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he government should also stop sending requests to the tech companies for suspension of dissident accounts.鈥�
However, Khilji added: 鈥淪ocial media companies should be transparent too in their actions and provide reasons for suspension or blocking of accounts.鈥�