ISLAMABAD (AP) — An important ally of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded the government lift a two-month-old ban on the social media platform X, saying on Friday that it violates citizens’ right to speech and expression.
The ban on X has been in place since February, when the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a nationwide protest against alleged election rigging ahead of the Feb. 8 vote that allowed Sharif to come to power.
“We demand that the ban on X, which is known as Twitter, should immediately be lifted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stop any further violation of human rights,” said Farhatullah Babar, a senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party. The PPP is an important member of the coalition that allowed Sharif to form a government in March.
Babar is known as a defender of human rights who’s taken stands on civil rights and the protection of minorities during a three-decade career in politics.
Rivalries on tap with Barcelona
Primary and Secondary Schools Start New Semester Across China
China to Further Address Excessive School Homework: Ministry
Chinese Procurators Help Schools Promote Legal Work, Campus Security
Laborers and street vendors in Mali find no respite as deadly heat wave surges through West Africa
In Pics: Awarding Ceremony of 2,000m Short
China Stuns Defending Champion Sweden in Olympic Women's Team Curling
China Has Nearly 300 Million Students in 2021
Pema Tseden's posthumous film 'Snow Leopard' shines with spiritual depth
Scheffler wiped out from Masters and opens with a 69 at Hilton Head. He trails Poston by 6 shots
China Beat S. Korea in AFC Women's Asian Cup Final