ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday raised concerns with Twitter for suspending some 200 accounts of Pakistani users for posting views in support of Kashmiri people and against atrocities committed by the Indian forces in India-held Kashmir.

In a statement, the PTA said this action was in violation of the policy and community standards of Twitter, and an attempt to stifle freedom of expression.

Recently a large number of Pakistanis had taken to Twitter to report that their accounts were being suspended after they posted tweets in support of Kashmir and against the brutalities of Indian forces in the occupied territory.

In the past as well as recently Twitter has declined all requests for account information, blocking and removal of accounts.

PTA Chairman retired Maj-Gen Amir Azim Bajwa had told a parliamentary committees in the past that of all the social media service providers such as Facebook and YouTube to mention some, Twitter is the least cooperative to requests from Pakistan.

Earlier on Sunday, Inter Services Public Relations Director General Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor had said that the authorities had taken up with Twitter and Facebook the suspension of accounts of Pakistanis who posted content in support of Kashmir.

“Pakistani authorities have taken up the case with Twitter and Facebook against suspending Pakistani accounts for posting in support of Kashmir. Indian staff at their regional headquarters is the reason,” he tweeted on his personal account.

In its statement, PTA said that any Pakistani social media user suspended by Twitter for supporting the Kashmir cause may contact the regulatory body at content-complaint@pta.gov.pk.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2019