KARACHI (Daily point) — The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has submitted its response in the Sindh High Court regarding the suspension of a certain social media application, referred to as “X,” citing security threats as the rationale behind the shutdown of mobile phone and internet services.
According to the PTA’s legal representative, the decision to suspend mobile phone and internet services was made in response to security concerns raised by the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies. Advocate Ahsan Imam informed the court that cellular companies were directed to suspend services on February 8, with an email for restoration sent the following day, after the general election of 2024.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi stressed the importance of employing rational thinking rather than reacting emotionally, urging authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring. He emphasized that shutting down the internet should not be the default approach, and instead, efforts should be made to responsibly prevent any untoward incidents.
The court highlighted the need for action against responsible parties if services remain suspended despite instructions from the PTA. Chief Justice Abbasi emphasized understanding ground realities and operating in a civilized manner, stating that such situations could exacerbate issues for the country. He emphasized the importance of adhering to existing laws and considering additional reforms if necessary.
Additionally, Chief Justice Abbasi called for collective efforts to eliminate discrimination and urged unity to address challenges effectively. He emphasized the need for unity of thought and actions to resolve ongoing issues. Despite these efforts, the internet continues to experience disruptions, being controlled through various means.
During the proceedings, the PTA’s lawyer stated that the authority lacks the tools to shut down or affect the internet. This statement surprised the Chief Justice, who questioned the lawyer about PTA’s control over internet or mobile phone services. The lawyer maintained that the PTA merely follows orders and doesn’t possess the means to shut down or reopen the internet.
Regarding the legal aspect, the Chief Justice noted that while the law allows for shutting down internet and mobile services in specific regions, there are reservations about nationwide internet shutdowns.
The court also addressed the role of journalists in expressing opinions, especially on social media platforms. The Ministry of Interior, along with the Telecommunication Authority, requested an extension to respond to the court’s queries, which the court granted, setting a deadline for their response by March 20.
The court directed the Ministry of Interior to submit its response regarding the internet shutdown in future hearings and expanded the existing restraining order related to the restoration of internet services in Pakistan.
