Pakistan restricts X (Twitter) for 24 hrs amid allegations of election fraud, says report

⚠ Update: Metrics show that X/Twitter has now been restricted in #Pakistan for 24 hours, the latest and longest in a series of nation-scale internet censorship measures imposed by authorities as reports of election fraud emerge 📉 https://t.co/XAsM39sBb5 pic.twitter.com/ZKIhINj3Pc

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 18, 2024

The news, reported by local media as well, came a day after Netblocks said that live metrics show a new national-scale disruption to X/Twitter in Pakistan. This came “amid escalating unrest and protests over allegations of election fraud, following a high-level resignation and public admission of vote manipulation by a senior election official,” said the organisation.

Pakistan’s February 8 general elections had been marred by allegations of election fraud, triggered by delay in publishing initial results and unexpected suspension of mobile services.

The latest development came after Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha accused the Election Commission of Pakistan and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of involvement in ‘rigging’, reported Pakistani media house Dawn. Both have denied the allegations.

Pakistani digital rights activist Usama Khilji said that X appears to be blocked in Pakistan for nearly 24 hours now and remains accessible only through select VPNs.

Nearly 24 hours since Twitter/ X was blocked in Pakistan, remains inaccessible except via select VPNs. Most users complaining their VPNs are also blocked, & Internet is slow.
Not a word from @PTAofficialpk or @umarsaif whose job is to ensure seamless internet access. Shameful.

— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) February 18, 2024