The Sindh High Court (SHC) has intervened, directing the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to restore access to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), which have been inaccessible in Pakistan for the past four days.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, leading the SHC bench, issued the directive in response to a petition challenging the recent internet disruptions deemed “unconstitutional” across the country.
During the hearing, discussions revolved around various pertinent issues, including the imposition of internet service restrictions on election day.
In a petition filed by rights activist Advocate Jibran Nasir concerning the suspension of internet and social media services, Chief Justice Abbasi posed a direct question to the PTA lawyer: “When will you restore the internet?”
The PTA counsel, responding to the query, stated that the authority acted upon directives from the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, justifying the internet service restriction citing concerns over the prevailing law and order situation.
The court has also requested a report from the PTA regarding the suspension of internet services on election day. Notices have been issued to the federal government, and the hearing has been adjourned until March 5th.
The disruption of access to X in Pakistan ensued following Commissioner Rawalpindi’s admission of aiding in rigging the general elections, wherein he confessed to “personally supervising” the manipulation of over 70,000 votes, resulting in overnight winners turning into losers. He further stated his intention to surrender to the police.
