Days after India blocked Pakistani twitter handles in the country, Islamabad on Saturday summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) Suresh Kumar to lodge a “strong” protest over this action.
“The Indian Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) in Islamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and a strong demarche was made on the Indian government's blocking of access to the content of 80 accounts on Twitter, including accounts of Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, UN-New York and the national broadcaster Radio Pakistan, by activating geo-blocking and censorship laws,” a statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said.
India banned official Twitter accounts of several Pakistani diplomatic missions, journalists and some prominent personalities under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
“The Cd’A was conveyed that these Indian actions were against the international standards, obligations, norms, and framework of the flow of information and reflected the alarming pace of shrinking space for pluralistic voices and curbing of fundamental freedoms in India,” the Pakistan FO said.
It also urged the Indian government to immediately reverse its actions relating to the blocking of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions’ Twitter accounts in India, calling India’s move “illegal” and one that is “completely against the rights to access to information and fundamental freedom of opinion or expression.”
The Twitter handle was blocked some days ago for reportedly spreading fake and unverified news. Moreover, 16 YouTube news channels, including six Pakistan-based channels were blocked for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order.