Karachi: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has filed a response in the Sindh High Court over the suspension of the social networking application, X, alleging security risks as the cause for shutting down mobile phone and internet services.
The PTA’s legal counsel told the court that mobile phone and internet services had been blocked due to security concerns expressed by the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies.
Advocate Ahsan Imam alleged that cellular providers were directed to cease services on February 8, and an email requesting reinstatement was sent on February 9 following the 2024 general election.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi underlined the need of rational thinking above emotional emotions, and asked authorities to prevent such instances from occurring in the future.
Chief Justice Abbasi went on to say that shutting down the internet should not be the method, and that rather than claiming reasons for the suspension, efforts should be taken to properly avert any unfortunate situations.
The court stated that if the PTA gives directions to restore services and they are still halted, action should be taken against the accountable ‘business’.
The Chief Justice highlighted the necessity of knowing ground realities, adding that the world functions in a civilized manner and that such scenarios will only exacerbate the country’s problems.
The Chief Justice emphasized that present legislation offers a foundation, and if there are still infractions, further revisions can be explored.
He also emphasized the need of working together to remove discrimination and advocated unity in the face of such problems. He highlighted that unless there is unity of opinion, the situation would endure, and steps must be made to stop it. As of today, the internet is still not working correctly and is being restricted in a variety of ways.
During the hearings, PTA’s counsel said that PTA did not have the ‘tools’ to shut down or disrupt the internet. The Chief Justice was surprised by this assertion and questioned the counsel regarding the PTA’s authority to manage internet or mobile phone services.
The PTA’s lawyer maintained that the company only follows orders and lacks the tools to shut down or reopen the internet, to which the lawyer for the federal government responded that under the 2009 law, the PTA directed all mobile phone companies to suspend services, and the malice would have occurred if this legislation had been enacted in 2023 or 2024.
The Chief Justice remarked on the legal side, indicating that under this statute, internet and mobile services can be turned off in specified areas, but there are concerns about suspending internet access nationally.
The Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court went on to say that journalists who are unable to talk on national television on certain matters use social media to voice their ideas. He admitted that people throughout the world listen to these journalists.
The Ministry of Interior, along with the Telecommunications Authority, requested an extension to reply to the court’s inquiries. In response to Jibran Nasir’s contempt of court application, the court issued letters to the Chairman of PTA and others, requiring a response by March 20.
The Ministry of Interior and PTA asked further time to answer, and the court extended the deadline.
The court asked the Ministry of Interior to respond to the internet shutdown at future sessions, while also increasing the existing restraining order relating to the restoration of internet services in Pakistan.
Maria Ghanchi