Sun Nov 10 03:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Pakistani PM Caught Using VPN to Access Banned Twitter, Despite Imposing Nationwide Block

**ISLAMABAD, Pakistan** – In a surprising turn of events, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been called out for using a VPN to access Twitter, the platform his government has banned nationwide. This revelation has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government’s commitment to its own regulations.

Sharif extended his congratulations to former US President Donald Trump for securing a second term in office, despite Twitter being blocked in Pakistan since April. The platform’s Community Note feature quickly flagged the post, highlighting that the Prime Minister was accessing Twitter through a VPN, which is deemed illegal under Pakistani law.

The ban on Twitter was imposed by the Ministry of Interior, citing national security concerns and the platform’s refusal to comply with local laws, including the controversial 2021 “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content Rules.” However, critics argue the ban is politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent and suppressing criticism of the government, particularly following allegations of election rigging.

Sharif’s political rival, Imran Khan, who was ousted in 2022, has been a vocal user of Twitter, using it to mobilize support and voice his claims of a military-orchestrated conspiracy against him. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), boasts millions of followers on the platform. The ban on Twitter is seen by some as an attempt to silence such voices and restrict access to alternative viewpoints.

The move to block Twitter has also raised concerns about the government’s overreach. Critics argue that the Ministry of Interior bypassed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which is legally responsible for regulating online content. The ban, they argue, is simply a tactic to force platforms like Twitter to comply with local censorship demands, as witnessed previously with platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

The incident underscores the hypocrisy of the government’s actions, highlighting the disconnect between its rhetoric and reality. While claiming to prioritize national security, the government itself appears to be violating its own laws, raising questions about the true motives behind the ban and its impact on freedom of expression in Pakistan.

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