In a move that has sparked widespread online mockery, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been accused of accessing X (formerly Twitter) via a VPN to congratulate Donald Trump on his US presidential election victory. This incident highlights the controversial ban on X in Pakistan and the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate social media platforms in the country.
On November 6, 2023, Sharif posted a message on X congratulating Trump on his “historic victory” and expressing his desire to “strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-US partnership.” However, his diplomatic gesture was immediately met with a community note pointing out that he was using a VPN to access the platform, which is prohibited in Pakistan. The note read: “PM Shehbaz Sharif has banned X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan. He is using a VPN to access X, which is unlawful according to Pakistani law.”
The irony of Sharif’s actions lies in the fact that his own government had imposed a nationwide ban on X earlier this year, citing national security concerns. In April, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar justified the ban, claiming that militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were using the platform to engage in “anti-national activities.”
Social media users were quick to point out the hypocrisy of Sharif’s actions. Many Pakistani users criticized the leader for congratulating Trump on a banned platform while his own citizens were restricted from accessing it. One user remarked, “Most corrupt and dictator puppet in history of Pakistan is congratulating Trump.” Another shared the community note with the comment, “Pakistani PM taken to cleaners by his audience.” One user even tagged Elon Musk, writing, “Mr. Trump, this joker using VPN to congratulate you… Btw, Elon Musk’s platform has been banned in Pakistan!!!”
The ban on X in Pakistan has been a highly contentious issue. The Pakistani Interior Ministry cited concerns over the platform’s failure to comply with local regulations, including the controversial 2021 Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content Rules. Additionally, the government claimed that “hostile elements” were using X to destabilize Pakistan.
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister and Sharif’s political rival, has been one of the most prominent users of X. Despite being imprisoned, Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has garnered millions of followers on the platform. Khan himself has accused the military of orchestrating his ousting in 2022 and claimed that the 2023 elections were manipulated to prevent his return to power. Some critics argue that the government’s restriction of X is an attempt to stifle opposition voices.
The government’s efforts to regulate social media platforms in Pakistan extend beyond X. Pakistan has previously imposed similar restrictions on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, demanding that they comply with local censorship laws. This incident highlights the government’s increasing push for censorship and control over online content in Pakistan.
