ISLAMABAD (DL News) – The government has the option to block social media platforms at any time, said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
The comments followed alleged vandalism and violence by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 9 May. The government had then responded by blocking not only social media platforms but also internet services across the country for nearly four days.
Khawaja Asif noted that social media was regulated in China and Europe, and said that it was used to incite people to violence. The minister also praised the punishment imposed on officers dismissed by the army following the incidents on 9 May.
Providing a rationale for blocking the services, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had also claimed that the PTI’s work was done entirely online so it was decided to block the internet services.
