The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) found itself in the midst of a digital storm on Friday as it accused federal authorities of blocking its websites within Pakistan. With the iconic ‘bat’ symbol denied for the upcoming polls, PTI strategically positioned its leaders as independent candidates, adopting various electoral symbols.
To counter potential voter confusion, the party introduced an online portal on insaf.pk and a backup site, pticandidates.com. Furthermore, PTI allowed voters to message Imran Khan’s Facebook account for information about their supported candidates.
However, accessing PTI’s websites proved challenging for the users on Friday, except when using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). PTI’s official account took to social media, tagging the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), interim information minister Murtaza Solangi, and interim IT minister Umar Saif, seeking an explanation for the alleged website blockage. The party questioned the purpose behind the blockage, especially when symbol information was still accessible through Imran Khan’s Facebook page.
Jibran Ilyas from PTI’s social media team directly addressed Minister Umar Saif on Twitter, demanding an explanation. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to respond to Dawn.com’s request for comment on the alleged blockage.
This controversy follows a recent incident involving a fake web portal mimicking PTI’s platform, disseminating incorrect information about PTI-backed candidates. Additionally, multiple countrywide internet outages in recent weeks, coinciding with PTI’s online events, have raised eyebrows.
The interim government, led by Murtaza Solangi, attributed these internet disruptions to “technical” issues and ongoing system installations. PTA Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada echoed these sentiments, citing “technical glitches” and system upgrades while cautioning of potential disruptions for the next two to three months.
As Pakistan gears up for elections, PTI’s accusations bring to light concerns about digital interference and accessibility, amplifying the broader discourse surrounding internet disruptions during pivotal political events in the country. Calls for transparency and a thorough investigation into the alleged website blockage persist, shaping the unfolding narrative.
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