Provincial information minister Jan Achakzai informed that Internet services will be temporarily restricted in “sensitive” polling booths across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
PTA didn’t respond to this issue
Summary of Case
"CPJ: On February 4, provincial information minister Jan Achakzai informed that Internet services will be temporarily restricted in “sensitive” polling booths across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province ahead of Thursday’s elections to mitigate risks that “terrorists may exploit social media platforms for communication purposes. The Balochistan government’s secretariat and the PTA did not respond to CPJ’s emailed requests for comment. ---- On February 15, 2024, Iqbal Mengal, a correspondent for 92 News, communicated with the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) to provide information regarding disruptions to the internet during the election period in Balochistan. Mengal confirmed that there had been disturbances to internet services during the election period in Balochistan. However, he stated that the internet was restored once the polling concluded. ---- Jan Achakzai tweeted: Internet services will be temporarily restricted in sensitive polling booths located in various areas of #Balochistan. Ensuring the safety and security of ordinary citizens is of utmost importance, as there is a concern that terrorists may exploit social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and other similar channels for communication purposes. Consequently, in order to mitigate this risk, internet access will be restricted in the lead-up to the elections in regions including Turbat, Mach, and #Chaman.
Category of Incident
Censorship
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Class: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
Reported By
The Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ
Date of incident
4
Month
February
Year
2024
Name of affected person
Balochistan internet users
Other affected persons
N/A
Name of affected organization
N/A
Other affected organizations
N/A
Action by
Jan Achakzai
City
Various cities of Balochistan
Province
Balochistan
Designation
N/A
Professional category
N/A
Age of victim
N/A
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced
Date of compensation announcement by government:
Date of compensation paid by government:
Amount of compensation announced by others:
Date of compensation announced by others:
Date compensation paid by others:
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Not investigated
Court where case was presented:
Name of prosecuting lawyer:
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case:
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not Condemned
APNS
CPNE
PBA
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
N/A
Employer organization
N/A
Press Club Status
Press club 1: No version was recorded
Press club 2:
Press club 3: