Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman announced on Thursday that the authority is ready to lift the ban on X, formerly known as Twitter, upon the government’s request.
The platform has been suspended in Pakistan since February 17 due to national security concerns but remains accessible via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Speaking at a Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat meeting chaired by Rana Mahmoodul Hasan, Rehman clarified that the PTA blocks social media platforms only on government directives.
He highlighted that X’s compliance with Pakistani regulations is significantly low, with only 7% of complaints addressed in the past three months.
Rehman also reported a sharp decline in X’s usage in Pakistan, with a 70% drop despite the use of VPNs.
He mentioned that only specific VPNs will be allowed after a whitelisting process, restricting public access to certain services.
Regarding internet access and digital infrastructure, Rehman stated that approximately 56% of Pakistan’s population has internet access.
He also revealed plans for a 5G auction scheduled for March-April next year.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar discussed the taxation of social media earnings, indicating that negotiations with international platforms like Facebook and Instagram are in progress.
“Social media platforms are used commercially worldwide, and taxation is necessary,” Tarar emphasized, noting ongoing talks about establishing virtual offices in Pakistan.
The cabinet secretary indicated that the issue of social media advertisement taxes would be brought to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Additionally, Rehman mentioned the commencement of local mobile phone manufacturing, with 37 companies producing approximately 20 million phones annually.
He also noted that Pakistan imposes a 34.50% tax on telecom customers and assured that there have been no cyberattacks on telecom networks in the past two years.
