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Pakistan blocks Lok Sujag website, digital media under pressure
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 22 January 2026 | JP Staff Report
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Digital Media Alliance for Pakistan condemned the blocking of Lok Sujag, saying the site is inaccessible domestically except via VPN and alleging the PTA used its firewall to restrict access. DigiMAP demanded immediate restoration and a legal explanation.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Digital Media Alliance for Pakistan (DigiMAP) has strongly condemned the blocking of Lok Sujag, a prominent independent journalism platform, calling the move state censorship, a direct assault on freedom of expression, and a serious violation of constitutional rights.
According to reports, the website is completely inaccessible on standard browsers in Pakistan and can only be accessed through a VPN, while remaining available internationally. Digital and cybersecurity experts say such a block is only possible if the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) uses its firewall to restrict access.
Digital media under pressure
Sabookh Syed, president of DigiMAP, expressed deep concern that the PTA neither issued a show-cause notice nor provided any legal explanation nor informed the platform of regulatory proceedings. He said this demonstrates a broader policy of silencing digital media in Pakistan through unofficial and opaque methods.
DigiMAP described the action as more than just a website block, framing it as an effort to intimidate independent journalism, suppress dissenting voices, and restrict public access to information. Experts say such measures are inconsistent with democratic norms and resemble authoritarian practices.
A voice for the marginalized
Lok Sujag is among the few platforms giving consistent attention to marginalized communities, neglected regions, minorities, workers, and women. Silencing it is viewed as silencing these already underrepresented voices.
DigiMAP issued clear demands, including the immediate restoration of Lok Sujag’s website, full accountability from the PTA for potential misuse of its powers, ending all secretive and unofficial methods of digital media control, and ceasing restrictions on freedom of expression under the guise of security.
The alliance emphasized it will not limit its response to statements, pledging coordinated action with journalist associations, human rights groups, legal forums, and international digital rights networks to oppose state censorship.
Independent journalism is a constitutional right, and DigiMAP stressed that no compromise will be tolerated on this fundamental principle.
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on statements from the Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan.
Key Points
- Lok Sujag is blocked on standard browsers in Pakistan and remains accessible internationally only via VPN.
- DigiMAP condemned the move as state censorship and a violation of freedom of expression.
- Experts say the block implies PTA use of its firewall, while the platform received no show‑cause notice or legal explanation.
- The platform is known for covering marginalized communities, minorities, workers and women.
- DigiMAP demanded immediate restoration, transparency and a legal justification for the action.
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