US calls on Pakistan to restore access to X

WASHINGTON: The United States has issued a strong appeal to Pakistan to restore access to social media access after platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was suspended.

US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller in a press briefing to a question about disruptions on social media called on Islamabad to “respect freedom of expression and restore access to any social media” platforms.

“We are concerned by any report of restrictions on the exercise of the freedom of expression and association in Pakistan, including the partial or complete government-imposed internet shutdowns, which includes, of course, on social media platforms.

“We continue to call on Pakistan to respect freedom of expression and restore access to any social media that has been restricted, including Twitter, I think now known as X,” he added.

The spokesperson said that Washington has and will continue to “emphasize the importance of respecting these fundamental freedoms during our engagements with Pakistani officials”. He also shared that Washington had communicated its position to Islamabad through official channels.

Miller declined to give a comment on the formation of the new government in Pakistan and stated that forming a new government is any country’s inner decision.

He reiterated the stance on of non-interference in the formation of the government when asked whether the prospective coalition set-up in Pakistan would be deemed representative.

“I don’t want to comment on the government before it is formed,” he said. “Ultimately, as is the case wherever you see coalition politics taking place in any given country, it’s a decision for that country itself. It’s not something we would weigh in on.”