Pakistan’s PTA Restores Mobile Internet, But Social Media Still Suspended

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) spokesperson stated on Saturday that there were no directives yet to reinstate social media in the country. However, the spokesperson confirmed that mobile internet services have been restored nationwide.

The government banned mobile internet services and social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook on May 9.

The reason behind this action was a wave of violent protests and agitation that broke out in various cities following the detention of Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), outside the Islamabad High Court.

As a result of these incidents, PTI supporters lashed out in anger, leading to attacks on military and governmental buildings in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar.

The ban on mobile internet services has profoundly impacted the economy. The IT sector experienced a massive loss of Rs10 billion, and the telecom sector incurred a loss of Rs2.5 billion within three days. Furthermore, industry sources confirmed that the government’s tax revenue also suffered, losing about Rs860 million.

Despite the restoration of mobile internet services, the continued suspension of social media platforms has caused frustration among users, with some expressing dissatisfaction online. One instance is the trending of ‘Pakistani hashtags’ in the Netherlands.

Jehan Ara, a prominent figure in the business sector of Pakistan who held the position of President at P@SHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association) for over two decades, recently voiced her disapproval of the ongoing social media ban in the country. Utilizing Twitter as her platform, she publicly shared her criticisms about the imposed restrictions.

In a reaction to Ara’s public condemnation of the ban, a Twitter user who goes by the handle @silver_eaglets responded with a notable comment. They pointed out the irony that while authorities focus on restricting major social media platforms, they seem to be missing the fact that the main discourse and activity are happening on TikTok, a platform known for its viral videos and significant influence among younger demographics