The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a directive to the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to restore access to social media platforms in Pakistan, including X (formerly Twitter), which has been inaccessible for the past four days.
The directive follows a petition challenging recent internet disruptions across the country, which was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi. During the hearing, discussions centered on concerns regarding the imposition of internet service restrictions on election day.
Rights activist Advocate Jibran Nasir filed a petition regarding the suspension of internet and social media services, prompting Chief Justice Abbasi to question the PTA lawyer directly about the restoration of internet access.
The PTA counsel explained that the authority had acted based on directives from the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, citing concerns over the law and order situation. The court has also requested a report from the PTA regarding the suspension of internet services on election day, with the next hearing scheduled for March 5th.
Access to X was disrupted following admissions by Commissioner Rawalpindi about involvement in election rigging, leading to public outrage and calls for accountability in electoral processes. The disruption of X’s services has raised concerns about freedom of speech and access to information in Pakistan, highlighting the intersection of technology, governance, and civil liberties.
The SHC’s order to restore social media access reflects judicial intervention to safeguard digital rights, while the PTA’s justification for the internet restrictions underscores concerns over maintaining law and order. The court’s request for a report indicates a commitment to transparency and accountability in government actions amidst public outcry over electoral integrity issues.
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