SHC expresses displeasure, seeks reasons for suspension of internet services on election day
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday expressed displeasure at the suspension of internet services on election day and directed the federal government to provide reasons for disruption.
“Why are you making a spectacle of yourself in front of the world?” SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi asked, directing authorities to restore internet services and social media across the country.
He passed these remarks as the court resumed hearing three petitions against the suspension of internet services. Lawyers Jibran Nasir and Hyder Raza as well as the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan had filed petitions against the ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for causing hindrance to access social media platforms and disturbing mobile internet and broadband services in the run-up to Feb 8 polls.
On Jan 24, the SHC had issued an interim restraining order, asking the PTA and other respondents to ensure that there must be no disruption and shutdown of mobile phone, internet and broadband services till Jan 29 unless the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Act, 1996 and Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021 were attracted.
On Jan 29, a federal law officer and the lawyer for the PTA had sought more time to file comments on behalf of authority, the information technology and communication and interior ministries and the court had put off the hearing till Feb 6 and also extended the interim order.
However, a countrywide suspension of cellular services was witnessed on February 8 — the day millions of Pakistanis voted. While the caretaker government cited security threats for the decision, the disruption was strongly criticised both locally and internationally.
Meanwhile, services of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have been disrupted for the fifth day today. The platform has been inaccessible since Saturday when former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha held a press conference and accused the chief election commissioner and chief justice of being involved in rigging the general elections.
