Committee calls PTA head over social media disturbance in Pakistan

Seeking Answers: National Assembly’s IT Committee Calls for Explanation on Social Media Disruption

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT has summoned the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafiz Rehman, to explain the ongoing nationwide social media disruption. Chaired by Amin ul Haq, the committee wants reasons for the disruption in social media services and details on the nationwide internet service disruption and weak mobile signals.

The Attorney General of Pakistan has also been invited to the committee’s meeting on August 21 at the Parliament House. While internet services are down across Pakistan, initial reports suggest the disruption is likely linked to international traffic. Despite this, Meta platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are operational amid the disruption.

Furthermore, the government’s decision to install a firewall to control social media and regulate internet traffic is in progress. The firewall, equipped with deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, aims to monitor data up to the seventh layer, filter social media data, block propaganda points, and restrict access to prohibited content.