SHC orders authorities to restore social platform ‘X’ in Pakistan

The Sindh High Court has directed the authorities to restore social media platform X and ensure uninterrupted access to the site in Pakistan.

The order was issued by SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi after hearing a plea filed by multiple petitioners including Zarrar Khuhro, Amber Shamsi, Zebunnisa Burki and others against suspension of social media platform.

He questioned on whose directions was the social media site suspended.

“How long Array

X has been down?” the judge asked.

The petitioner’s representative told the court that only the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has the authority to suspend access to the social media platform.

“PTA should be asked [to disclose] who issued the directives to suspend Array

X,” the counsel said.

The petition includes the state, Ministry of IT and the PTA as parties to the case.

It highlighted that the disruptions were neither preceded by any kind of notice or indication by the PTA nor the disruption of access was limited to any specific location or locations as the regulatory body imposed a blanket ban on access to X on a national scale, affecting users in all major cities.

“The impugned actions of the PTA also consist of the fact that the regulator acted in blatant violation of the provisions of the PTA Act, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (“PECA 2016″), and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021 (the “Removal Rules”). These laws and rules mandate that the PTA must act within a narrowly defined set of exceptions when determining whether it is necessary to disrupt the flow or dissemination of any online content or information,” the petition read.

Lamenting the violation of rights under Articles 19, 19-A and 18 of the Constitution, the plea prayed the court to direct the authorities to restore public access to X and any other platforms that have been subjected to similar restrictions.