Without fixing the structural regulatory flaws, safeguarding citizenry s access to information and fostering truly free digital landscape will remain a pipedream
It is of utmost importance that restrictions on internet access are not taken lightly by the caretaker government, as there is an intrinsic link between democratic participation and internet access.
Social media applications have been blocked in Pakistan on more than six occasions over the past year alone, each time without any announcement or explanation from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), the telecom and internet regulator. The latest instance was as recent as January 20, before which social media applications were blocked for a few hours