X factor: Twitter ban hits businesses, news in Pakistan

Pakistan's post-election X shutdown faces a legal challenge as campaigners decry effect on freedoms and businesses face losses. — AFP

KARACHI, Pakistan: From business owners fretting over lost clients to journalists seeking new sources, Pakistanis want the government to restore regular access to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, which has been blocked for nearly three weeks.

Authorities have blocked X – either partially or fully – since Feb 17 after protests swept the country over allegations of vote rigging in a general election, according to the Netblocks global Internet monitor.