‘PTA ready to lift X ban upon government approval’

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman announced on Thursday that the authority is prepared to lift the ban on X, formerly known as Twitter, whenever the government requests it.

The platform has been suspended in Pakistan since February 17 due to national security concerns but remains accessible through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

During a Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat meeting chaired by Rana Mahmoodul Hasan in Islamabad, Rehman explained that the PTA only blocks social media platforms upon the government's directive.

He added that the platform's compliance with Pakistani regulations is notably low, with only 7% of complaints addressed in the last three months.

Rehman noted a significant drop in X's usage in Pakistan, with a 70% decrease despite VPN availability.

He stated that only selected VPNs will be allowed following a whitelisting process, limiting public access to specific services.

Discussing internet access and digital infrastructure, Rehman revealed that about 56% of Pakistan's population has internet access.

He also mentioned plans for a 5G auction scheduled for March-April next year.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed the issue of taxation on social media earnings, stating that negotiations with international platforms like Facebook and Instagram are underway.

"Social media platforms are used commercially worldwide, and taxation is necessary," Tarar emphasised, highlighting ongoing discussions about virtual offices in Pakistan.

The cabinet secretary mentioned that the issue of social media advertisement taxes would be presented to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Furthermore, the local manufacturing of mobile phones has commenced, with 37 companies producing approximately 20 million phones annually.

Rehman 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.